La Liga 2016-17: Barcelona 1-1 Atletico Madrid - 5 talking points
Always a feisty encounter, Atletico Madrid fans have fond memories of visiting the Camp Nou as this was the venue where they sealed their historic La Liga crown in 2014. This battle between Barcelona and Atletico carried more weightage as Real Madrid had slipped up in the match before.
Victory for either side with edge them closer to the Galacticos but a nervy encounter ended in a draw after Ivan Rakitic’s first half effort was neutralised by Angel Correa’s goal in the second half. Lionel Messi’s injury will be a sour point for Barcelona as well.
Here are the five talking points from yet another tight encounter between the two rivals.
#1 Simeone’s looming departure had no effect on his troops
Diego Simeone has revitalised and reinvigorated this Atletico Madrid team like very few managers have been able to do in the history of football. He started off when they were in the doldrums and instilled a sense of steel, discipline and resilience. This fighting spirit has seen them break the hegemony of Real Madrid and Barca in La Liga and steered them to two Champions League finals in three years.
After the loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League final this summer, there were rumours circulating that the Atletico manager was unhappy with himself. This week it was confirmed that he would indeed be stepping down in 2018 instead of his prior contractual agreement which kept him as manager till 2020.
Going by this display, Atletico fans need not be worried. The team played with the same vigour and passion as they have throughout in the Cholo era. His substitutes earned him the draw as Fernando Torres assisted Correa within minutes of both of them coming on. Clearly, he is living in the present and not worried about his future destination, nor are his players.