Atlético Madrid v FC Barcelona: More decisive than ever
This Sunday, FC Barcelona travel to Atlético Madrid in a game that should have a huge bearing on the eventual outcome of La Liga 2024/25. Barça are currently just one point ahead of the two Madrid clubs. Victory would put four points between themselves and Atlético, and the Catalans also have a game in hand.
Defeat at Getafe last weekend has put a massive dent in Atlético's own title bid, but they will be well aware that a win against Barça on Sunday would throw them right back into the mix.
This is by no means the first time that Culers and Colchoneros have faced each other under such decisive circumstances. Here we look back at four particularly pivotal encounters between the two.
1990/91
Going into this game, Barça had 44 points and Atlético had 40, and this was the chance for Johan Cruyff and his young squad, who would soon be earning the moniker of the 'Dream Team', to move seven points clear of their closest rivals. It didn't happen. The game at Camp Nou ended 1-1, although Barça would go on to win the first of what would eventually be four consecutive Liga titles.
1995/96
Five years later it was Atlético who led the way with 74 points, with Barça three adrift on 71. With just six games left to play, Barça needed to make the most of their home advantage to square things up at the top of the table. But things didn't go to plan. Atlético won 3-1 in the Catalan capital and went on to win the championship.
2013/14
Two decades later came one of the most crucial games that these two clubs ever played. Again Camp Nou was the venue, and again Atlético led by three points, but this time it was on the very last day of the season. It was basically a final, although Atlético had the advantage of knowing that a draw would be enough. Alexis Sánchez gave Barça the lead with an extraordinary goal, but Atlético eventually got away with a 1-1 draw and got to celebrate their first league title under Diego Simeone.
2020/21
Freshest in the memory is the game just four years ago, and once again the Spotify Camp Nou was the stage, this time with five games left to play and just two points separating leaders Atlético from second-placed Barça. Again this was Barça's chance to move to the top, but again things didn't work out. The game ended 0-0, so Atlético stayed top, and went on to win the championship.
So, of these four games, Barça didn't win any, and in all but one it was Atlético who ended up lifting the trophy. And unlike any of these four examples, in Sunday's game, Atlético will be playing at home. There's a heck of a lot hanging on Sunday's 9pm kick-off at the Metropolitano. Let's hope this time, things work out for the best.