Title is wide opened for FC Barcelona
FC Barcelona 1-0 Atlético Madrid:
La Liga championship probably gave its verdict with FC Barcelona beating Atletico Madrid thanks to another goal from Messi. For Atletico it was the last chance to have a shot in La Liga title.
But with an eight point gap for first place it seems unlikely to comeback. Now the team must focus on the next big test that is Atletico Madrid vs Lokomotiv Moskow in Europa league. Coach Atlético Madrid, Siego Simeone came to Camp Nou with hight hopes and his team fought hard. Ultimately the talent of Lionel Messi made the difference in a very close match.
As he commented: “It was a very even match, like the one in the first half of the season. They had a good first half and in the second, we reacted well and did what we could to try to score the equalizer. In the second half, we saw a hard working team.
We saw the team’s conviction. I was thought to always think in the next match, so we don’t stray from our objective: keep improving. I think we’re close because we always compete in the best manner.”
The next match is Moscow and a Round of 16 first leg on Thursday. Atlético are favorites to advance and also to win it all in the Europa League. But Lokomotiv Moscow are leading the Russian League and will be a tough opponent to not underestimate.
FC Barcelona Coach Ernesto Valverde praises his team:
“I am proud of how the team competed. We have made a step forward, but it is not definitive. It was an intense match but we were able to manage the pressure well. We competed well in this type of game as it was fundamental and important for the title. Despite the win, we don’t want to celebrate anything just yet.”
FC Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets added:
“Leagues are won by suffering and beating rivals such as Atlético Madrid. We will try to ensure that the eight point gap isn’t closed, but increases. The distance to second place is good, but there are many games left and we shouldn’t stop working, because we want to take the three points in each match”
