Barcelona’s lead at the top of LaLiga was cut to five points, though they had Luis Suarez’s 82nd-minute header to thank for ensuring they left Atletico Madrid’s Wanda Metropolitano with a 1-1 draw.
Here are three things learned from the clash.
Atletico midfielder Saul tends to reserve his best goals for the big games. Two seasons ago he netted a remarkable solo effort against Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-finals, and last year he did the same against Bayer Leverkusen in the last 16.
For his latest masterpiece, the 22 year-old decided to wait until he could inflict Barcelona’s first dropped points of the season, curling a sumptuous strike perfectly into the bottom corner from 20 yards.
It wasn’t just Saul’s goal that was special, though. His all-round performance was equally as impressive, and considering he was going directly up against three masterful midfielders – Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta and Ivan Rakitic – that took some doing.
Without doubt, Saul should now be regarded as one of the best midfielders in La Liga, and his added asset of versatility should make him an automatic selection in Spain’s World Cup squad. So far he has only won five international caps – at least ten times that amount will surely follow.
Saul Niguez celebrates his stunning opener
An hour into this contest Barcelona were controlling possession but heading nowhere, looking toothless going forward while Atletico created the better opportunities from their more limited attacking forays.
But then Barca boss Ernesto Valverde took matters into his own hands, making an unexpected tactical switch by sacrificing skipper Andres Iniesta and right-back Nelson Semedo, introducing Gerard Deulofeu and Sergi Roberto.
On paper that looked an entirely uninspiring double swap, but it also entailed a formation change as Andre Gomes came to the left wing, Deulofeu headed to the right and the team moved from their previous 4-4-2 to a 4-2-1-3 with Lionel Messi tucked in behind Deulofeu, Luis Suarez and Gomes.
It worked a treat. Suddenly Barca had attacking width and balance, with both Gomes and Deulofeu offering plenty of threat while Suarez greatly benefitted from his extra support in numbers. Eventually Roberto – one of those subs – teed up the leveller for Suarez, and Barca nearly went on to win.
He might be less celebrated, but Valverde definitely outcoached Diego Simeone on this occasion.
Barca boss Ernesto Valverde
Ohh, Atletico…why so timid?! In the early stages of the second half, Barca were there for the taking, trailing by a goal and playing badly. If they continued to attack, Atletico looked more than capable of creating the chances they needed to put the game to bed.
Instead, though, Simeone pulled up the handbrake and went into his shell, firstly replacing striker Angel Correa with winger Nico Gaitan, and then taking off erratic but dangerous forward Yannick Carrasco and introducing central midfielder Thomas Partey.
Those moves only succeeded in leaving the previously dangerous Antoine Griezmann increasingly isolated, while Barca had the confidence to push higher and higher up the pitch, eventually equalising from a diagonal cross from substitute right-back Roberto delivered 30 yards from goal as the hosts desperately defended the edge of their box.
Simeone, of course, is a fabulous manager. But you sometimes wish he would back his team’s attacking abilities a little more, and trust them to kill off games with a second goal rather than hang onto what they’ve already got. With a braver approach, they could have easily won this game.
Simeone reacts during the 1-1 draw with Barca
