Spanish champions Barcelona welcomed Atletico Madrid to Camp Nou in La Liga on Wednesday night.
Ivan Rakitic's 41st-minute header saw the home side take a one-goal lead into the interval, but Atletico were level just past the hour courtesy of a fine finish from Angel Correa.
Barcelona had opportunities to score a second as the second half progressed, but Atletico held on to secure a point and continue their unbeaten start to the season.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Very quick turnaround for this one after Real Madrid's clash with Villarreal, which ended 1-1 as the leaders dropped points. Our attention now switches to Camp Nou, however, as defending champions Barcelona welcome Atletico Madrid in perhaps the biggest game of the season so far in Spain's top flight! Follow all of the action with Sports Mole right here!
Without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from this warm evening in Barcelona. Have Luis Enrique and Diego Simeone shuffled their back following the weekend matches against Leganes and Sporting Gijon? Let's take a look at the two XIs for this one...
TEAMS!
BARCA: Ter Stegen; Roberto, Pique, Mascherano, Alba; Rakitic, Busquets, Iniesta; Neymar, Suarez, Messi
ATLETI: Oblak; Juanfran, Savic, Godin, Luis; Gabi, Koke, Saul; Carrasco, Gameiro, Griezmann
So there we have it. The two teams are in and we are now little over five minutes from kickoff tonight. Barcelona will enter the match in second spot in La Liga having collected nine points from their three fixtures this season. They incredibly lost 2-1 at home to Alaves on September 10, but have beaten Real Betis, Athletic Bilbao and Leganes – the last of which was a 5-1 win on Saturday.
Barcelona also opened their Champions League campaign with a 7-0 victory over Celtic last week and Luis Suarez, Neymar and Lionel Messi are all in form after international commitments and injuries prevented them featuring together at the start of the season. As it stands, the Catalan outfit are four points behind early leaders Real Madrid, who have made a strong start to the campaign.
Atletico, meanwhile, opened their La Liga campaign with back-to-back draws against Alaves and Leganes, before beating Celta Vigo 4-0 on September 10 and putting five unanswered goals past Sporting Gijon at the Vicente Calderon on Saturday. Like Barcelona, they opened their Champions League challenge with a victory – a 1-0 success at PSV Eindhoven last Tuesday night.
These two teams met on four occasions last season – Barcelona winning both league matches 2-1, but Atletico knocked the Catalan giants out of the Champions League in the quarter-finals courtesy of a 2-0 win at the Vicente Calderon. That said, Atletico have not beaten Barcelona in the league since February 2010 and not won in this stadium in the league since February 2006.
KICKOFF! Barcelona kick things off here...
... just a reminder that Real Madrid have just dropped points at home to Villarreal, which would have been music to the ears of Barcelona and Atletico ahead of the match. As expected, Barcelona have taken control of the possession in the early exchanges, which is always the pattern in this fixture.
Victory for Barcelona tonight would see them move to within one point of the leaders Real Madrid, but the Catalan outfit lost their last home league match to Alaves. Atletico are unbeaten this season and despite a poor run in the league against Barcelona, they will be confident of securing a result here.
Barcelona have just started to find space in the final third with Messi and Roberto both delivering crosses into the Atletico box, but Godin and Luis take it in turns to clear down-field.
Not too much to report in terms of excitement at the moment, but Barcelona are in control of the ball as they pass and probe in the final third. Atletico, as expected, are playing on the counter-attack and have already had one chance to slide in Gameiro, who is full of energy and running up front.
Rakitic heads towards goal after meeting a cross from Alba, but it is comfortable for Oblak, who collects before releasing Griezmann in a wide position. Still goalless with 10 minutes on the clock.
No yellow cards in this match thus far, but I suspect that we are entering a period where a few will arrive as challenges continue to occur all over the park. Barcelona continue to work the ball inside as they attempt to find space, but as expected, Atletico are very well drilled in a defensive area.
SAVE! Messi strikes one from the edge of the box and puts plenty behind it, but Oblak manages to save and indeed hold on, which was not easy. Excellent from the goalkeeper there.
SAVE! Chance for Atletico this time as Carrasco curls one towards the far corner after finding space down the right, but Ter Stegen is on hand to make a smart save. Better game now!
It must be said that the opening 19 minutes of this match have just flown past. The pattern of the game has been as expected - Barcelona dominating the ball and Atletico playing on the counter-attack. You just get the feeling that the first goal tonight - if there indeed is one - could be vital.
Iniesta strikes one from distance, but it is a comfortable save for Oblak.
Pass, pass, pass from Barcelona as they attempt to work an opening in the final third, but that is easier said than done against a team that are so brilliant in defensive areas of the field.
We have not seen too much from Gameiro in the Atletico attack thus far, but the Frenchman will always be dangerous with his pace and ability to turn defences. He has been a brilliant addition.
The pace of the match has definitely dropped in the last five minutes or so and that will suit Atletico, who are more than happy to sit deep and soak up the pressure. I have read this book before!
Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining and in truth, not too much is happening at the moment. Barcelona are doing all of the attacking, but Atletico are not really being troubled as they continue to sit deep and clear their lines. Chances have been few and far between in this match.
Frustration for Barcelona and especially their supporters as the referee awards Atletico a couple of free kicks in quick succession. It has been a pretty disappointing opening 31 minutes here.
Carrasco hits one from distance, but his effort was always wide of the Barcelona post.
Terrific challenge from Godin as the Atletico centre-back denies Suarez, who had threatened to release a shot inside the Atletico box. Barcelona, as expected, are absolutely dominant in terms of possession, but Atletico have given a defensive masterclass. They are just so impressive at the back.
Barcelona want a penalty as Gabi appears to handle inside the box, but the referee is not interested and in truth, it would have been harsh. Still goalless with 36 minutes on the clock at Camp Nou.
CLOSE! The ball falls for Neymar just outside the Atletico box and the Brazilian curls his effort wide of the post. It is going to take something like that to make the breakthrough.
Gameiro looks to break clear for Atletico and the Frenchman's pace takes him clear of Alba, but Mascherano just about does enough to make the challenge. Serious acceleration there!
Suarez and Messi combine inside the Atletico box and the latter looks favourite to release a shot, but Atletico manage to scramble it clear once again. This defence has been utterly fantastic.
GOAL! Barcelona 1-0 Atletico (Rakitic)
Barcelona make the breakthrough in the 41st minute of this match as Rakitic heads a wonderful Iniesta cross into the back of the net. Talk about route-one football from the champions here!
Atletico have a free kick in a dangerous position as Alba fouls Griezmann...
... Griezmann curls the free kick into the Barcelona box, but it goes straight behind.
HALF-TIME: Barcelona 1-0 Atletico
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Barcelona leading 1-0 at Camp Nou courtesy of a flicked header from Rakitic in the 41st minute. Neither side has had too many chances in the opening 45 minutes, but Barcelona deserve their lead at the interval here.
STATISTICS! Barcelona have dominated the possession with 73%, while they have had eight attempts - four of which were on target. Atletico, meanwhile, hit the target with one of their three attempts in the first half. No yellow cards to report thus far, which is perhaps the biggest surprise!
BENCH WATCH! Barcelona have an embarrassment of riches on their bench tonight, with Gomes, Alcacer, Denis Suarez and Turan all available for Luis Enrique. Atletico, meanwhile, have attacking options in the shape of Correa, Gaitan and a certain Fernando Torres, who has plenty of history versus Barcelona!
HALF-TIME: Barça 1-0 Atletico
It's been a tough game, but Rakitic's header five minutes before the interval separates the two teams pic.twitter.com/sQBKfIL3UK — FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 21, 2016
RESTART! Atletico resume the action here...
... CHANCE! Griezmann drives through the heart of the Barcelona midfield before striking towards goal, but Ter Stegen is on hand to make the save. Fast start to the half!
Down the other end, Suarez drives to the by-line before delivering towards Messi, but the ball is just behind the Argentine and Neymar cannot make contact behind. Such an open start here!
I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals tonight as both teams continue to commit players in the final third. After a Barcelona attack breaks down, Atletico go down the other end and Griezmann fires over the crossbar. We are in for some second period if this tempo continues!
BARCELONA SUB! Andre Gomes replaces Busquets for the home side.
Still no yellow cards in this match, which is incredible 53 minutes into proceedings! I have probably cursed it now and five or six reds will arrive, but it is very strange to see no bookings at this stage.
BOOKING! Koke (Atletico) is booked for a late tackle on Neymar.
Little under 35 minutes of this football match remaining and Rakitic's header is still the difference. It is certainly more open in the second period, however, as Atletico start to commit more players forward. You sense that Gameiro's pace could be key as play develops in Barcelona tonight.
Gabi produces a volley from the edge of the Barcelona box, but this effort was always wide.
Big blow for Barcelona here as Messi hits the deck after stretching his groin!
BARCELONA SUB! Turan replaces Messi here.
ATLETICO SUBS! Correa and Torres replace Gameiro and Saul for Atletico.
GOAL! Barcelona 1-1 Atletico (Correa)
What a substitute! Correa has only just come on and he has levelled! It is a mistake from Pique that allows the Argentine to break through on goal before finding the bottom corner with a fine effort!
Well, Barcelona have now lost Messi and they have lost a goal. Atletico will really fancy their chances of scoring a second goal as we approach the final 25 minutes of action. This is where Barcelona really need Suarez and Neymar to turn on the style. So delicately poised here!
SAVE! Oblak gets down to keep out a strike from Neymar as Barcelona threaten to score a second. Just a reminder that league leaders Real Madrid dropped points earlier at home to Villarreal.
BOOKING! Griezmann (Atletico) is booked for a foul on Rakitic.
Suarez fires a free kick straight into the Atletico wall.
Little under 20 minutes of football remaining and we are still locked at 1-1 in this fascinating match. Barcelona have just started to regain control of the possession, but Atletico have such incredible pace on the counter attack. You just get the feeling that there is another goal in this match.
ATLETICO SUB! Thomas replaces Carrasco for Atletico.
Barcelona have a free kick in a very dangerous position as Suarez is felled by Correa...
... Neymar's free kick hits the wall and goes over the crossbar!
Not too much to report in terms of Atletico chances in the last few minutes as Barcelona continue to look the team more likely to score a second and what a massive second it would be here.
SAVE! Neymar brings a brilliant save from Oblak after driving past Juanfran and releasing a shot towards goal. Barcelona are really threatening to score a second goal here.
BOOKING! Thomas (Atletico) is booked for a late challenge on Neymar.
CLOSE! Pique meets a brilliant free kick from Neymar, but his effort is just wide!
BOOKING! Suarez (Barcelona) is booked for a poor challenge on Luis.
CHANCE! Alba fires over the crossbar from inside the Atletico box!
BOOKING! Luis (Atletico) is booked for a foul on Turan.
Little over two minutes of normal time remaining and we are still locked at 1-1 tonight. Atletico have done well to hold off the Barcelona pressure in the last 20 or 25 minutes at Camp Nou.
SAVE! Ter Stegen has to tip a brilliant Godin header over the crossbar!
Rakitic bundles through the Atletico defence, but his final effort is wide of the post and we are entering the very final moments of this match. What a point it would be for the visitors.
Koke sends a volley wide of the Barcelona post.
We are into the first of three additional minutes here.
Neymar has looked the player most likely to score a second for Barcelona, but Atletico have once again been brilliant at the back and it looks to be enough to secure a point in this match.
Iniesta misses the target from distance and that should be that.
FULL-TIME: Barcelona 1-1 Atletico
So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with the two teams playing out a 1-1 draw at Camp Nou. Barcelona led late in the first period through Rakitic, but Correa levelled the scores after coming off the bench. That is just about it from me tonight. See you again soon!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
