FC Barcelona 2-2 Atalanta: Job done in the Champions League
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FC Barcelona have ensured a top two finish in the Champions League group stage, which means a theoretically nicer route through the knockout stages, but have missed out on the chance to finish top of the table despite PSC Eindhoven delivering a wonderful favour by beating leaders Liverpool 3-2.
And that’s because despite playing some fabulous football and twice taking the lead this Wednesday at home to Atalanta, the Italians twice managed to battle back level and it all ended 2-2.
Solid opponent
Atalanta have won a lot of admirers with their football in recent years, and today we got the chance to see for ourselves. Barça’s play was as good as it has been in the last few weeks, and Lamine Yamal was in dazzling form once again, but the visitors did an excellent job of keeping everything in check.
Indeed, it was them who had the best chances in the first half.
Wojciech Szczesny made a couple of brilliant saves (one off his own team-mate Alejenadro Balde!) and Davide Zappacosta did beat the Polish stopper but he was offside by the teeniest of margins.
Lamine on fire
Barça eventually came good early in the second half. The highlight of the opening goal was Robert Lewandowski’s sublime pass to Raphinha, then the Brazilian delivered an impeccable ball into the area that Lamine collected and shimmied goalward despite Sead Kolasinac’s desperate attempts get a tackle in.
Like so many other games this season, this one was turning into the Lamine Yamal show. Every time the ball landed at his feet he produced another trick from his seemingly endless repertoire of tricks.
What’s more, with Liverpool 3-2 down in Eindhoven, Barça were now top of the table!
Aruajo restores lead
Atalanta needed a win to ensure a place in the top eight, and although they had gone somewhat off the boil, they managed to conjure up a response. Brazilian striker Ederson rifled in an absolute thunderbolt from the edge of the area and we were all square again.
That situation didn’t last long either. When Barça get a corner, the last man you want to leave unmarked at the far post is Ronald Araujo. The Uruguayan made Atalanta pay for their folly and with no change at the Philips Stadion, Barça were back in first place.
All square again
But Atalanta refused to drop their heads, and with 11 minutes to play, they levelled again, Mario Pašalić doing well to stay on his feet long enough to fend off Araujo’s challenge and get the ball over the line.
The Italians still needed another goal to avoid having to negotiate the playoff round, an inconvenience that Barça were already spared. But Barça had their eyes on the largely symbolic honour of finishing top of the league… Naturally, there were fireworks in the final minutes. But no more goals.
Barça will be back in European action in late February, when the opposition will be one of Monaco, Brest, PSG or Benfica.
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