Thanks for joining me!
It was an intense old game at the Nou Camp, so my fingers are killing me.
Until we meet again! (Maybe at some point int he next week).
Will Atletico be annoyed they did not give it more of a go in the first-half? They might have worn Barca down if they’d been more proactive for the opening 45 minutes as the hosts were struggling to cope with the pressure late on and would have conceded if it weren’t for Costa’s leg being the wrong side of the line.
And City are winning! What a day! And the lamb is in the oven! And there is wine!
Full-time: Barcelona 1-0 Atletico Madrid
No hay Liga!
It is only fair that a game of this pressure and intensity was settled by a goal of pure quality from a man who continually makes the difference for Barcelona. The hosts dominated the opening half, while after the break it was all Atletico but they failed to create a decent chance in the 45 minutes despite having the majority of the possession, meaning they will be left to rue one needless foul which allowed Messi to score a stunning free-kick.
Is the title race over?
Updated
90+3 min: Oblak sends the ball long down the pitch to the opposition area but it is sent back from whence it came.
90+2 min: The home fans are waving their flags and singing in a victorious manner. Is it too early?
90 min: Saurez wins a free-kick in the corner from Godin, the striker knew what he was doing with that and has wasted some valuable time. Three minutes added on!
88 min: Atletico’s yellow shirts look like they are outnumbering Barcelona when the visitors attack. Surely there will be one more chance...
86 min: NO GOAL! Gameiro smashes the ball into the back of the net after a knockdown from Costa but the assistant puts his flag to rightly point out the former Chelsea man was an inch offside. Could be an effective method for Atletico to create chances, though.
84 min: Paulinho is coming on for Coutinho as Valverde backs the more defensively-minded Brazilian for the closing stages. This is pretty intense, I will need wine later.
83 min: Suarez is the latest striker to go down in the box after he was stopped when trying to work his way through on goal. He is still down, rubbing his left knee. Is his race run?
82 min: Costa tries to spin after receiving the ball in the box, but instead of trying to do something with the possession he just throws himself to the floor in the desperate hope the referee will be fooled into awarding a penalty. Get up, Diego!
80 min: Coutinho drifts in from the left, through two defenders who were left bamboozled by the Brazilian’s quick feet but his run into the box is stopped by a left shoulder, though the referee sees no ill.
78 min: Messi sends a free-kick to the back post where Busquets is waiting. The midfielder watches the ball go over everyone and then smashes a volley with his left foot but Oblak does not flinch and palms it away.
76 min: Suarez gets the ball into the back of the net but it is rightly ruled out for offside. After a corner was cleared the Uruguayan did a little bit of goalhanging so when the ball was headed back into the box he steered it home but he was definitely off. Messi then has a good chance as he shoots from 25 yards but it is deflected over. Game on!
75 min: Griezmann tries to go round Umiti but he instead just runs into his fellow Frenchman in the vague hope he is rewarded a free-kick. The referee sees no foul and waves play on.
Mark emails from Peru, which is novel.
He says: “I’ve used it on the few occasions Barsa isn’t on teevee here in Peru, worst commentator in the world.
“Hey, you see that goal by Messi today? Rather good, no?”
It was bloody, ruddy great.
72 min: Atletico are really on top here and Simeone is hoping to take advantage by bringing on Lucas Hernandez for the final 20 minutes. Where will he fit in?
69 min: Costa takes Atletico up the pitch and the attack is stopped as Rakitic fouls Correa, which the referee books him for. Atletico have a free-kick from slightly further out than from where Messi scored but his chipped cross results in Godin being punished for a foul.
68 min: Gomes tries to take on the entire Atletico midfield who was being patronised, he fails to do so and is patronised by the home crowd. Not a popular man in this blog or at the Nour Camp.
Poor Andre...
Paul writes: “Playing gomes is akin to playing with 10 men. Players and crowd don’t seem to fancy him and he seems to hide as far away from the game as that white line will allow.”
67 mins: Another change for Atletico as Gameiro is brought on for Gabi, allowing them to play a proper front two. Will the struggling Pique be able to cope?
Tom is ashamed, he says: “Not proud, but watching this on a dodgy stream, Barca have a player by the name of Kwhlewithhhhhhhhhhh Schhhhhhhhhhwwwwwarthethhhhhhhhhhh according to the commentator!”
Not sure I even know who he means.
64 min: Role reversals in this half as Barcelona are the team waiting to counter on Atletico. This could be a pretty interesting last 25 minutes or so.
62 min: COSTA IS HOLDING HIS FACE! Atletico have a free-kick after Umtiti challenged him illegally. Umtiti is laughing at how pathetic Costa is as there was barely any contact. The set-piece comes to nothing.
60 min: Atletico Madrid win a corner as they took advantage of Barcelona being one man down temporarily. After a half-clearance the ball is looped back into the box and Saul heads into Ter Stegen’s arms which sort of counts as a shot.
58 min: Messi takes the free-kick from 20 yards out but this time he hits it straight at the wall, which is a surprise. Correa is coming on for Vrsaljko while Pique is struggling with a knee problem for the hosts.
57 min: Barcelona break on Atletico as Messi leads the charge towards all the box but it comes to an abrupt end as Rakitic is hilariously bodychecked by Gimenez just outside the area.
54 min: All very even at the moment as Atletico look to be playing higher. Suarez is trying to take advantage of this by permanently waiting on the last man, hoping for a ball over the top to chase.
51 min: There is now some intent from the visitors who have finally realised that if they want to score they will need to attack Barcelona. They might even force Ter-Stegen into a save soon.
49 min: Atletico have some possession in the final third which was rarely seen in the opening 45 minutes but they can’t make anything after Saul is ruled offside after the ball is launches towards him.
47 min: Messi sees off Gabi midway inside the Atletico half, he then plays the ball into Suarez who decides to play the ball back to Messi rather than shoot but his pass is array and Atletico clear.
Kick-off!
46 min: Here we go again! No changes at the break for either side.
Updated
The players are back out on the pitch! Could be a fascinating 45 minutes.
Are there any more angles of the Messi free-kick? Think I’ve seen them all about from one from his boot itself.
Poor Diego...
Two unsuccessful dribbles, zero shots and a few tame backward passes from Costa. pic.twitter.com/ONMySx0s3P
— Robbie Dunne (@robbiejdunne) March 4, 2018
John has been in touch...
@Will_Unwin my dad used to say “Mother of sweet lanterin Jaysus that little Messi lad is some player how in gods name does he do it”. God is thinking is same I reckon
— John McEnerney (@MackerOnTheMed) March 4, 2018
Getting my fill of 15 minutes of Manchester City v Chelsea. I am a City fan so really sacrificing a lot for your enjoyment. I suspect is doing more than me for your Sunday afternoon, though.
How do Atletico get back into this one? Is Fernando Torres the answer? Probably not. They need to get on the ball into midfield in order to feed Griezmann and Costa who have barely had a kick between them. Your answers will be better than mine, I am sure.
Half-time: Barcelona 1-0 Atletico Madrid
Barcelona have dominated from the start and thoroughly deserve to be in the lead and it was a wonderful goal which made it 1-0. The paucity of superlatives left describe Messi is embarrassing our profession and that’s full great to the great man.
45 min: Barcelona are calmly playing out the finally few moments of the half as they keep hold of the ball to ensure they maintain their lead. Just one minute added on.
43min: Atletico play themselves into trouble as Godin sends a terrible pass straight to Sergi Roberto, who knocks it to Suarez only for Godin to recover and tackle his compatriot. The corner is whipped in but Pique heads it over the bar.
41 min: Atletico will be happy to go in just one goal down, allowing to create a Plan B as their currently offering will does not look like it will bring them a goal or even a shot.
600 goals is just silly, isn’t it?
600 - Leo Messi has scored a total of 600 goals in his professional career (@FCBarcelona and Argentina). Crack pic.twitter.com/qwys1zCZEl
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) March 4, 2018
39 min: Messi leads the charge towards the Atletico box before laying a pass to Gomes in space on the right. The Portuguese takes the ball into the box but then sends a pathetic cross straight into the arms of Oblak, much to the annoyance of the home fans. I have never seen Gomes have a good game for Barca.
37 min: Gomes gets involved by battling for the ball in the opposition box before working it out to Roberto. Barcelona play it across the pitch to Coutinho who works his way into the area and fires in a shot with his left foot from 12 yards but Oblak stands tall and punches it clear.
35 min: Iniesta passes the ball out, takes off his captain’s armband and heads to the touchline as his game is curtailed by injury. In his place we have Andre Gomes, which is in some ways a like-for-like swap even it wasn’t for the fact the Portuguese is half the player that Iniesta is.
Paul points out that Messi has the advantage before he’s even taken the free-kick, he says: “The problem with Messi’s free kicks is that his repertoire means the keepers cant move until they see it properly which is usually once its past the wall.”
32 min: Suarez breaks into the box and directs a shot at goal from 10 yards, but Gimenez blocks it and he complains that about the use of a hand, though the referee cares little for the protestations.
31 min: A yellow for Vrsaljko as he trips Suarez after the defender is turned by the striker. Been a few feisty challenges so it won’t be the last card.
29 min: Filipe Luis and Messi clash resulting in both hitting the deck. The Barcelona man looks hurt and is holding his ankle, while he’s on the floor he is booked for his efforts. Messi caught Luis with a late tap on the ankle, so it is all fair.
The official Guardian view on that goal...
Wow.
— Sid Lowe (@sidlowe) March 4, 2018
GOAL! Atletico are punished for a needless foul 30 yards from goal as Messi steps up and curls his shot over the wall and gets it to perfectly dip and curl into the top corner, meaning Oblak can only palm it into the net. A truly stunning free-kick for Messi’s 600th career goal.
GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Atletico (Messi, 26)
What a free-kick from Messi!
Updated
Kari seems to be influence by Bart Simpson with his “BARcelona v aTleticO should be called El Barto: suggestion.
24 min: Iniesta has jogged back on, which is a confident move for someone with a muscular issue. Maybe he is just trying to lure Atletico into a false sense of security. Atletico fail to clear the ball, which lands at the feet of Coutinho but he bottles shooting first time and the visitors send it out for a corner.
22 min: Iniesta is down once again. Iniesta is just rubbing his hip in the hope of continuing. Actually, it looks like a hamstring problem. Game over!
21 min: Messi receives the ball 25 yards from goal, he is quickly surrounded by three Atletico players but somehow he flicks the ball between then all, spins to take it towards goal but his shot from 20 yards out was straight at Messi. How on earth did he beat all those men?
No beer here...
@Will_Unwin watching with my Spanish Atlético supporting mates here in Madrid, wondering when we’ll get a kick - beer’s good though.
— john alford (@john7956) March 4, 2018
19 min: Iniesta is on the ground with a hip problem after challenging Saul for a header. The Barcelona man hit the ground hard after a big leap to beat his opponent to the ball. He gets up and is fine, which is a relief to all the home fans.
18 min: Diego Costa is flagged offside but it was very close. This is about as much as he’s done in the game so far. He will need to be patient today as Atletico do not look like they will be seeing much of the bal in the opposition half.
17 min: Two balls on the pitch! Whatever next?
15 min: Barcelona have had a couple of miss-placed in the last few minutes with Busquets and Messi the culprits of sending the ball nowhere near their team-mates. Barcelona are not rattled but they know they are in a game here.
It could work...
@Will_Unwin El Alterno!
— gerard neil (@Oldlostland) March 4, 2018
13 min: Suarez is fouled on the edge of the box by Gabi after the Atletico man kicked the Uruguayan in the calf, giving Barcelona a free-kick on the left. Messi takes the set-piece but it goes straight into the wall.
Updated
10 min: Atletico Madrid will look to play on the break it seems. They are happy to let Barcelona have the ball for now. The visitors are working really hard while absorbing a lot of possession. Griezmann is doing his fair share of defensive work.
8 min: Iniesta lifts a straight ball into the box allowing Suarez to challenge Oblak but the referee’s whistle blows after some unconvincing working from the goalkeeper. It seems Suarez pushed Gimenez over in the build-up.
Updated
6 min: Barcelona are having all of the ball at the moment. A short corner is played into the box and after the odd ricochet is ends up with Coutinho who has a shot which deflects towards the goal but Oblak reacts well and holds on.
5 min: It looks like Partey is playing as deep as he can without becoming an extra defender. His eyes are focused on where Messi is wandering and the midfielder will not let the Barcelona No 10 get too far from him. Iniesta looks up for this one and he will be key if Barcelona are going to win this one!
3 min: Vrsaljko gets in with a classic ‘you’re in a game foul’ on Iniesta an he needless brings down the Spaniard when he tries to turn the defender near the halfway line.
Matt emails to ask: “I think the most pressing question on all of our minds is: what will you be having with your lamb? Roast potatoes, greens, a healthy helping of gravy, and a generous portion of mint sauce? Remember, there *are* wrong answers.”
Controversially, I have never been a huge fan of full roast dinners, it can all be a bit too much. So the lamb will be roasted in garlic and rosemary, which will then be served with some cous cous, bejewelled with dried fruit, roast peppers and herbs.
Kick-off: Barcelona v Atletico Madrid
1 min: Here we go at the Nou Camp!
There is a minute’s silence for Quini now. A former Pichichi winner while at Barcelona and fondly remembered by all at the club.
Updated
Here come the teams both wearing some lovely jackets that are available for a silly fee in the club shops and other sporting goods outlets.
And here is Sid Lowe on Barcelona legend Quini. What a tale!
I am also going to Barcelona later this month but will probably go to watch Girona instead but it just seems more fun to watch City’s reserves. Girona is nicer than Barcelona, right?
We’re almost ready!
🔛🆙¡A calentar! ¡Mandémosles mensajes de apoyo a los nuestros!🔴⚪🔴
— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) March 4, 2018
⏳¡El #BarçaAtleti, a puntito...!#AúpaAtleti pic.twitter.com/su4xDFWxN9
I am well placed to write about this game as I explained to a family of Spanish tourists staying at a flat in my building how to open the door to get out this week. They loved my Spanish instructions and then got to exit and enjoy the snow.
Seeing as these two are the best teams in the league, should we come up with a title for the game? El clasico is saved for Barcelona v Real Madrid but maybe something less grandiose would be appropriate. El partidazo or similar?
Obviously, you can contact me in the usual places, with the details being at the top of the page. You can ask me about the lovely soccer or the roast lamb I hope to find when I get home.
Sid Lowe has been writing about some of La Liga’s overachievers. Will one end up in Europe?
Lionel Messi has 34 goals in 44 games this season for club and country, which is once again an incredible tally for an individual. There is no doubting how much Barcelona have needed to rely on their Argentine maestro throughout the campaign with Suarez starting the season poorly and the lack of a third forward following Neymar’s exit and Dembele’s injuries.
Griezmann looks to be back to his best now that he has been joined by Costa in attack, which is a worrying thought for Barcelona. The Catalans are keen on bringing the Frenchman to the Nou Camp in the summer, even though Valverde distanced himself from a deal this week but that’s just him being very polite ahead of a crucial match.
Messi v Griezmann: who will win?
Messi 23 goals from 147 shots at target in La Liga this season [15.6% converted], Griezmann has 15 goals from 61 shots [24.5%].
— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) March 4, 2018
Atletico did win the league at the Nou Camp in 2014 thanks to a draw. It was a glorious day for the club.
Although Simeone has never lost to Valverde in 12 games, he has not actually beaten Barcelona in La Liga in 12 matches, so there is a good chance one of those records will go later on today. Or it might just be a boring draw.
Is this the biggest game of the day? Matt thinks differently...
Pretty sure Blackburn played Wigan.
— Matt Sim (@mattiemoo87) March 4, 2018
Both clubs have sent their condolences following the tragic news today of Davide Astori’s passing.
Diego Simeone can boast not lost in 12 encounters with Valverde, which is a pretty decent record. The Argentine now just wants to keep the title race alive until the last possible moment.
“We have always competed and we will be competitive again on Sunday,” Simeone said.
“The game is important, against a rival with numbers that speak for themselves.
“We still have to go to Villarreal and Real Madrid. There are 12 games left and we are all competing for something.
“The points (on Sunday) are important because they give us a (smaller) margin and that makes us better able to handle what’s left.”
Updated
Barcelona head coach Ernesto Valverde has played down the importance of the match at the Nou camp, claiming it will not be the decider.
“It’s not a final for LaLiga,” Valverde said. “It will be an important three points to the winners, but not decisive.
“We are two strong teams and the three points are worth a lot.”
That does not help with us building this up to be the biggest game of the season but I can confirm it definitely is!
Team news
Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Sergi Roberto, Piqué, Umtiti, Jordi Alba, Busquets, Iniesta, Rakitic, Coutinho, Messi, Suarez.
Subs: Cillessen, Dembélé, Paulinho, Paco Alcácer, Digne, André Gomes, Vermaelen.
Atletico Madrid: Oblak, Vrsaljko, Gimenez, Godin, Filipe Luis, Gabi, Partey, Saul, Koke, Griezmann, Costa
Subs: Werner, Lucas, Juanfran, Vitolo, Correa, Torres, Gameiro.
Preamble
Will will be here shortly.
