Atletico Madrid v FC Barcelona, UEFA Champions League 2015-16 - Why Atletico Madrid won at At Vicente Calderón

How could Barcelona lose? How could Atletico Madrid dent Barcelona’s progress in the UEFA Champions League?

Barcelona are one of the best sides in Europe and they just not only win, but win in an artistically ruthless fashion to leave a long lasting impression in the memories of football fans. But, last night, the mighty Barca had to digest a heavy defeat and surprisingly, they are out of this year’s UEFA Champions League. It was a matter of extreme sadness and shock if you are a Barcelona fan, but if you are a neutral, then, you have to sit down and praise Atletico’s gallant effort stop Barcelona’s juggernaut.

Diego Simeone is known for his pragmatism, but technically he is not a bad coach at all. More than his fighting spirit and rock solid determination, his ability to study the chinks of the oppositions is praiseworthy. Simone almost stranglehold Barcelona at Camp Nou, some crucial moments dented his plans. At Vicente Calderón, Madrid, he showed the world how Barcelona could be beaten. Antoine Griezmann's double strike gave Simone's dream a reality.

Atletico pressurized the Barca full backs 

Whenever Barcelona’s midfield comes under pressure, their full backs run high up the pitch to create space and productive crosses to lift Barca’s game, but last night, nothing such happened. Neither Dani Alves nor Jordi Alba could progress further up more often when the midfield was controlled by Atletico Madrid. Barcelona were on the back foot.

Busquets and Iniesta were denied to exchange more passes

Anders Iniesta and Sergio Busquets are one of the key components of this Barcelona side. Both of them control the game in the midfield and exchange crucial passes to aid the players up front, but their passing channels were cut-off by Atleti’s holding midfielders. Barcelona failed to stamp authority in the midfield.

Effective man-marking 

Digeo Goddin was the Gentile of Italy last night. He was like a wall last night and neither Lionel Messi nor Luis Suarez  nor Neymar could overcome this defender. He showed the others how to stop the feared MSN by shunning zonal-marking and applying man-marking. Atleti had the runners ready to stick to both Neymar and Suarez, make them play with their backs to the goal and give them minimum space when they have the ball. While Lionel Messi was strictly marked which cut short his ability to pass the ball. Gentile would be a proud man last night.

In my opinion, these had been the reasons which helped Atletico Madrid to conquer Barcelona. People are expressing their surprise and sadness due to Barcelona’s defeat, but none of them are praising Atleti’s brilliant effort on the field. They were arguably the best side last night.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar