Lionel Messi scored his 700th profession aim however Barcelona suffered one other blow to their La Liga title hopes after a 2-2 draw with Atletico Madrid on Tuesday. Messi chipped in a penalty to achieve one other astonishing milestone at Camp Nou however twice Atletico hit again with spot-kicks of their very own, Saul Niguez changing each after Barca took an early lead by means of Diego Costa’s personal aim. The outcome provides Actual Madrid the prospect to maneuver 4 factors clear on the high of the desk if they will overcome Getafe at residence on Wednesday, a formidable lead with 5 video games left. Atletico keep third, two factors forward of Sevilla, who gained Three-Zero at Leganes.
With a superior head-to-head, it will take a dramatic capitulation for Real Madrid to not elevate the trophy from right here however there isn’t any assure Barcelona can end strongly sufficient even to create strain.
This was their third attract 4 matches and with recommendations of disharmony between the gamers and training employees, the way forward for coach Quique Setien appears to be like bleak too.
“From the dressing room I really feel supported, sure,” he mentioned. “And relating to the assembly with the board, I cannot say what was mentioned in that.”
Setien was additionally requested about his job on Monday and needed to play down the importance of a frank change of views within the dressing room following Saturday’s draw at Celta Vigo.
Messi had additionally prompted a stir by showing to disregard Setien’s assistant Eder Sarabia throughout a water break at Vigo and on Tuesday it was unattainable to disregard the distinction with Atletico’s gamers, who huddled round Diego Simeone whereas 50 metres away Setien stood alone.
At full-time, Setien stared into house with the look of a coach that’s working out of time however he had taken daring selections, leaving 120-million-euro signing Antoine Griezmann on the bench and handing one other begin to 20-year-old Riqui Puig.
“It is true that taking him out of the workforce like that’s onerous for a participant of his degree however the circumstances compelled me to do it,” mentioned Setien of Griezmann. “Tomorrow I’ll communicate to him, to not apologise, however it’s a resolution he has to grasp.”
– Costa nightmare –
But it began properly for them as Costa endured a nightmare first quarter of an hour, first diverting Messi’s nook into his personal web after misjudging the flight of the ball on the close to put up.
Then he missed a penalty, gained after the superb Yannick Carrasco left Gerard Pique for useless after which in the reduction of inside Arturo Vidal, who caught out a leg.
Costa’s shot was saved however VAR confirmed Marc-Andre ter Stegen had sprung off his line too early and Atletico got a second likelihood. This time Saul took the ball and he scored the equaliser.
Messi dinked over the sliding Renan Lodi after which whistled a curling effort previous the far put up. His deflected free-kick compelled Jan Oblak to regulate his toes and palm over.
Lastly, it was laid on a plate for him shortly after half-time. Felipe clipped Nelson Semedo and Messi, with the 700th in sight, chipped the ball delicately down the center.
However each time Barca pulled away, Atletico pegged them again. One other penalty was awarded, once more instigated by the speedy Carrasco, who made the a lot of the slightest contact from Semedo.
Saul took duty once more and whereas Ter Stegen bought a hand to it, the ball squirmed into the nook.
Vidal twice went shut, the second time heading extensive Jordi Alba’s cross, and Thomas Lemar would possibly even have gained it for Atletico in injury-time. For Barca, the draw was damaging sufficient.
Promoted
Earlier, Sevilla’s Oliver Torres scored twice and Munir El Haddadi added a 3rd to see off Leganes and enhance their hopes of holding onto fourth place.
Sevilla sit 5 factors forward of Getafe, having performed a sport extra. Leganes keep 19th, 9 factors adrift of security.
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