Luis Núñez-Villavearán
Updated Monday, March 18, 2024-00:12
Chronicle Barça and Joao Félix continue to torture Atlético
Football Another revenge for Joao Félix: a vandalized plaque and a silenced celebration
It is difficult to face a myth, a loop or, in this case, a nightmare.
It is difficult to plan how to confront an impregnable enemy.
Even though that enemy has lived through better times.
But what is happening to
Atlético
with
Barcelona
since the arrival of
Xavi
already has esoteric overtones.
They have not been able to win any of the five duels they have played in the League.
No matter what ways
Diego Simeone
has proposed to confront them, the end is always the same.
defeat.
This Sunday, furthermore, unappealable, "tough," Koke
described
in the post-match press conference.
This year, Atlético had an ace up its sleeve, a Metropolitano that was a fortress.
At home, the team had another skin, harder and stronger, more effective.
That skin fell apart with the pecks of
Xavi
's team .
The good initial red-and-white pressure didn't matter, the second goal knocked down the entire house of cards.
"The second goal gave us the energy to continue competing,"
Simeone
declared in the post-match press conference.
Atlético's last defeat in the League at the Metropolitano was also due to the work and grace of the team coached by
Xavi
.
It was on January 8, 2023, where the Blaugrana won 0-1 with a goal from
Dembelé
on matchday 16 of last season.
Before a 4-2 in matchday 23 of 21/22 and then two 1-0s in matchday 30 of last season and in matchday 15 of this season, a goal scored by
Joao Félix
.
"We defended in an orderly manner until theirs came. They were forceful," said Cholo.
If Barcelona is a nightmare, the bogeyman is
Joao Félix
.
The Portuguese's streak against his former team, or his team, is incredible, since he still belongs to the red and white discipline.
This season, 33% of his goals in LaLiga have been against Atlético de Madrid.
He has six and two of them, one in Montjuic and another in the Metropolitano, have served for the Blaugrana victories against the colchoneros.
The Portuguese heard wind music during all his interventions throughout the match, but that did not take him out of the game.
"He played a very good game, very important, especially when we didn't have the ball. It was a game for him. He made a difference for us again," praised his pupil
Xavi Hernández
, who ended up being sent off for protesting to the referee at the end of The first half.
Out of Champions
This defeat goes directly to the waterline not only of the colchonero team, but also of the club.
At the moment, Atlético de Madrid is out of the Champions League positions, fifth, with
Real Madrid, Barcelona, Girona
and
Athletic de Bilbao
ahead.
"After winning Laliga, the following years were difficult for us. When you compete in the three tournaments it is not so easy. The process of having to improve, we are going to do it.
Koke
seemed confident in the group to reverse the situation and had the formula to do so.
"We have to be aware of what we are risking. Let's all tighten our asses because we have to get it out," said the red-and-white captain.
With an affordable rival in the Champions League, the red and whites can allow themselves to dream of the top continental competition, which would pit them against Barcelona again if both managed to advance to the semi-finals against
Borussia Dortmund
and
PSG
.
But dreams are dreams.
And these with Barcelona could become a nightmare and
Joao
the bogeyman.