Atletico Madrid delivered a major boost to their hopes of winning La Liga on Saturday by beating Barcelona 1-0 and consigning their opponen...
Atletico Madrid delivered a major boost to their hopes of winning La Liga on Saturday by beating Barcelona 1-0 and consigning their opponents to their worst start to a league season in 29 years.
Yannick Carrasco finished brilliantly from range after mistakes from Gerard Pique and Marc-Andre ter Stegen left the goal gaping but Barca, and a below-par Lionel Messi, failed to respond at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Instead, Atletico recorded their first league victory over Barcelona in 10 years, which puts them three points ahead of Real Madrid, with a game in hand, and second in the table, level on points with early leaders Real Sociedad.
11 - @FCBarcelona have just earned 11 points after their opening eight games in @LaLigaEN this season, their worst tally at this stage since 1991/92 season, when they claimed #LaLiga champions. Patience#AtletiBarca #atleticobarcelona pic.twitter.com/SvPgxU0kvQ
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) November 21, 2020
It also leaves their opponents languishing in 10th, with Barcelona’s 11 points from their first eight games their worst tally at this stage since the 1991-92 season.
“Like any coach, I am responsible,” said coach Ronald Koeman. “We know we have to improve the results. I continue to trust the players I have.”
Real Madrid had earlier been held to a 1-1 draw by in-form Villarreal, another slip-up for the reigning champions to...
