Felix The Difference As Barcelona Beat Atletico Madrid

Barcelona welcomed Atletico Madrid to Catalonia on Matchday 15 of the 2023-24 La Liga season on Sunday night time (December 3). Having seemed wobbly of their latest outings, the Blaugrana wanted a morale-boosting victory in opposition to a well-known foe. And Joao Felix ensured he was the one to harm his mum or dad membership within the essential Spanish top-flight outing. The sport ended 1-0 on the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, with Felix proudly rising because the distinction between the 2 Spanish heavyweights.

Barcelona Produced A lot-Improved Efficiency After Current Criticism

Barcelona supervisor Xavi has just lately come beneath fireplace for his staff’s sub-par performances. For a staff that prides themselves on their enjoying fashion, the Blaugrana have produced fairly just a few mediocre showings these days. On Sunday, they seemed decided to make an exception, and it’s protected to say they didn’t let their followers down.

Barcelona created fairly just a few possibilities earlier than Felix discovered the again of the web within the twenty eighth minute. Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski had a transparent sight of aim within the second and sixth minutes however in some way managed to pull their efforts broad of the mark. Lewandowski received one other likelihood to interrupt the impasse when Jules Kounde reduce the ball again for him, however the Poland worldwide made a hash of the half-volley and dragged it broad.

Felix’s aim got here following a panoramic counter-attack, which noticed Raphinha launch the Portuguese with a wonderfully weighted by means of ball. It took a deflection on his technique to the Atletico Madrid loanee, however he reacted beautifully to chip the ball over an onrushing Jan Oblak and put it into the again of the web. Within the forty fourth minute, Felix received one other goalscoring alternative, however this time, Oblak was there to stifle his effort from shut vary.

Within the second half, Raphinha clipped the skin of Atletico Madrid’s aim earlier than Felix went for aim with an outside-the-boot effort. Fortunately for the guests, Felix’s effort flew off the mark. Barcelona’s ending was not up to speed, however their ingenuity was for everybody to see. The reigning La Liga champions ended the sport with an xG of two.55, whereas Atletico had an xG of 0.62. The Catalans had 13 pictures and created six massive possibilities, that means they may have very properly walked away with a a lot greater scoreline.

Raphinha Performed Like A Man On A Mission Towards Atletico Madrid

Whereas Felix scored the profitable aim in opposition to Atletico, Raphinha was arguably the most effective participant on the pitch. The under-fire winger chased down each ball, created possibilities, hit the bar as soon as, and, in fact, offered the help. Towards Diego Simeone’s males, the previous Leeds United winger accomplished 37 of 43 passes (86% accuracy), created two massive possibilities, pulled off two dribbles, and delivered two lengthy balls. On the defensive entrance, he gained a deal with, made 5 recoveries, and gained 4 floor duels.

Xavi couldn’t have requested for a extra full efficiency from the Brazilian ace.