LaLiga: Fermín López double lifts Barça to a win at Atlético
· BehindLines newsroom
Trailing on the scoreboard, Barça won 2-1 at Atlético Madrid on Sunday 8 November, at the Metropolitano, in LaLiga. Fermín López scored both Catalan goals, which lets Hansi Flick's side keep top spot in the league. ESPN sees it as their most important win of the season, and Sky Sports as a turning point in the title race.
A start that belonged to Atlético
The home side controlled the first half, according to ESPN. Julián Álvarez had a big chance against Joan García within the opening minutes, then set up Giuliano Simeone, who opened the scoring after a switch of play that left Barça's defence in trouble. The Argentine forward, who had tried to force a departure this summer, went on to miss several more chances, including a lob that landed on the roof of the net.
Fermín López turns the match around
Just before the break, a ricochet sent the ball back to Fermín López, who beat Jan Oblak with a clean finish. After half-time, Flick moved Frenkie de Jong to right-back, and Barça took control of the game. The second goal came from a pass by Lamine Yamal: Fermín finished it, his eighth goal of the season, in his 100th LaLiga appearance. The midfielder praised a pass worth "almost half the goal".
What the result changes
Barça had lost twice in a row in October, to Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, which fed doubts about their ability to win the big occasions. They reacted by beating Alavés in the league and Aston Villa in the Champions League, then Atlético. According to ESPN, they have eleven wins in twelve LaLiga games and a three-point lead over Real Madrid; Atlético are five points behind.
Diego Simeone admitted his team had not been as clinical as usual, while saying he was proud of the performance. Flick, for his part, stressed how important the equaliser before the break had been. Even so, according to ESPN, the questions about Barça's solidity against the best opposition could return.