Vasilya Nizamova

SPA4003

Prof. Esther Allen

MARCA.com

Atlético Madrid Holds Back Barça

by Pablo Egea, 09/21/2016

The two points scored by Atlético were the least that preoccupied Barça fans during the clash against the colchoneros. Messi clutching his groin with distress on his face fear in all of the culé stands who felt their idol’s pain as their own. The match ended with a draw, and it’s not surprising seeing the players employed by each team.

Seeing Barça’s impressive game during the first half, few people predicted the subsequent events. The azulgranas monopolized the ball, surrounding the Atléticos in their goal area and not letting Simeone’s team breathe until it retreated to the dressing room.

Barcelona’s recoveries all happened near the rival team’s goal area. Since the opponents weren’t crossing the division line, Piqué played as if he were a midfielder while right- and left-backs Jordi Alba and Sergi Roberto posed a real threat. The home team reveled, and Atlético didn’t know which way the wind was blowing.