Home   >   MOTDs   >   MOTD- Atletico Madrid 1-1 Barcelona

MOTD- Atletico Madrid 1-1 Barcelona

By on May 17, 2014

Atletico Madrid have never been favorites to win any silverware this season. When the season started, the club had not won the Spanish La Liga in over a decade and were yet to even advance to the Quarterfinal stage of the Champions League. Even a few weeks ago it seemed impossible; Barcelona looked to be able to clinch the league title, and Atletico needed a win, or scored draw, at Stamford Bridge to progress the Champions League final. But Diego Simeone’s men have the fire in their bellies to do the impossible. They defeated Chelsea 3-1 to secure a spot in the final, and even after Diego Costa and Arda Turan were forced out of their deciding final La Liga match of the season against Barca via injury barely even a quarter of an hour into the game and their visitors took an early lead, they somehow rallied back to clinch the title.  And, hands down, it is impossible to say that Atletico did not battle the hardest or fight until they dropped to get in the position they have this season.

Despite only needing a draw to win the league title tonight, the fates looked to have conspired against them. Seven minutes in a tearful Costa had to be substituted with a hamstring injury, before Turan was brought off via yet another injury soon after.  Two of the club’s best players, off the pitch before either side had really even settled into the game. Neither goalkeeper had yet been tested, but Atletico goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois would find himself very busy shortly.

Twenty-four minutes in Alexis Sanchez forced the Belgian ‘keeper into action with a flicked header from a wonderful clipped Dani Alves cross from the left, and two minutes later Pedro gave Courtios a scare as his headed effort flew inches over.  But just when the home side at the Vincente Calderon looked to have stifled Messi & Co., luck would once again go against them.  Sanchez pounced on Messi’s laid off pass, and from a seemingly impossible angle to the right of goal, sliced an incredible volley in off the left-hand post.

Yet, of course, Atletico did not accept a loss.  Right before the end of the half Jose Pinto was forced to awkwardly punch a goal-bound Atletico corner away, and moments into the second period David Villa rattled the base of the left-hand post with a quick volley on the turn. Simeone’s men then cut Barcelona open at the back with some brilliant one touch passes, and although at the end of the move Villa was put in through on goal, Pinto was quick off his line to clear.  Finally, though, Atletico found an equalizer. Diego Godin rose up near the penalty spot to meet a corner, and slammed a bullet header into the ground, past a helpless Pinto, and the bottom right corner of the net.

It was a more than brilliant start to the half from Atletico; their incredible ever-present hunger and desire pinned Barca back in their own half. Even Messi and Sanchez faded out of the match.

But as the match neared its end, and Atletico headed towards the title win, Barca began to push forward, making for a nerve-wracking finale to a match dubbed as the “finale” of the La Liga season.  Tata Martino’s side had a second goal denied by the offside flag sixty-three minutes in, before Alves saw his thirty-five yard screamer palmed over the crossbar by Courtios.

Center-back Gerard Pique was out up top late on, and Pinto even came up for a last second corner, but Atletico’s willpower eventually saw them out to their first title win since 1997. Then again, if willpower alone won you the title, Atletico would have sealed it along time ago. No, Simeone’s side finally had some luck in winning the title.

About Alex Morgan

Alex Morgan, founder of Football Every Day, lives and breaths football from the West Coast of the United States in California. Aside from founding Football Every Day in January of 2013, Alex has also launched his own journalism career and hopes to help others do the same with FBED. He covers the San Jose Earthquakes as a beat reporter for QuakesTalk.com and his work has also been featured in the BBC's Match of the Day Magazine.