At 23:15 Beijing time on February 6, the 23rd round of La Liga ushered in a focus battle: Barcelona hosted Atletico Madrid. In the past, such a game was a key battle for the championship, but now, it is a "life and death battle" between the two companies in order to retain the Qualification for the Champions League.
In the current La Liga standings, Real Madrid leads with 50 points in 22 games, Sevilla ranks second with 47 points in 23 games, Real Betis ranks third with 40 points in 22 games, Atletico ranks fourth with 36 points in 21 games, Barca ranks fifth with 35 points in 21 games, and Real Sociedad ranks sixth with 35 points in 22 games. If Atletico wins, it will keep the fourth place, otherwise the fourth position will not be saved, and the same is true of Barcelona, if it wins, it will replace Atletico to rise to the fourth place, and if it does not win, the fifth position will not be saved.
The winter transfer window focuses on strengthening the forward line of Barca, and what kind of level they can play after starting again is worth looking forward to.
In the game, Barca started 433, Ferran Torres played in the center, on both sides Garvey, Traore, midfielders Frankie De Jong, Busquets, Pedri, double centre-backs Pique and Araujo, two full-backs Alba and Alves, goalkeeper Ter Stegen. The starting eleven are worth a total of 370 million euros. Former Arsenal centre-forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Dembele, who failed to be expelled in the winter window, sat on the bench.
Atletico's start is still 433, Barca's veteran Suarez plays as a center forward, on both sides Felix and Carrasco, midfielders Lemar, Cork and De Paulo, four defenders Hermoso, Gimenez, Savage, Fosarico and goalkeeper Oblak. The first eleven players in this set are also famous players, with a total value of 400 million euros.
After the match began, Barca, playing at home, attacked and conceded a goal first. In the 5th minute, Pedri crossed and Torres' shot was deflected. In the 8th minute, Suarez assisted Carrasco's goal. Barca 0-1 Atletico.
But soon Barca equalised. In the 10th minute, Alves assisted, Alba scored, barca 1-1 Atletico.
In the 21st minute, Barca reversed the score when Traore's cross was met by Garvey's header that bounced over Fossarico's head. Barca 2-1 Atletico.
In the 43rd minute, Barca's free kick in front of the field, Alves passed into the box, Torres' header hit the crossbar, Araujo made up for it, and the ball was scored! Barca 3-1 Atletico.
In the 49th minute, Garvey crossed and Alves scored and Barca extended the score to 4-1.
In the 59th minute, Atletico's corner kick, De Paul drove out, Correa headed to the front post, Suarez's header broke through the old main goal, Andyen Madrid 2-4 Barca.
In the 61st minute, Aubameyang came off the bench to make his Barca career debut and replace another striker, Traore.
In the 68th minute, Alves stepped on Carrasco's calf while defending, and the referee saw the VAR and showed a red card to send Alves off.
Although one less shot, Barca eventually saved the victory. In this game, Barca can be said to play the strongest level of the "post-Messi era". At the end of the battle, Barca accumulated 38 points in 22 games, replacing Atletico to rise to fourth in La Liga standings, while Atletico fell to fifth. Barca trailed Real Madrid by 12 points, with little hope of winning the title, but their hopes of retaining Champions League qualification have increased significantly.