Barcelona advanced to the semifinals of the 2015 Copa del Rey thanks to their 3-2 victory on Wednesday that gave the Blaugrana a 4-2 aggregate win. The game featured five goals, a red card in the tunnel at halftime and an Atléti player throwing his boot at a linesman.
3 things we learned from Barcelona’s 3-2 win over Atlético Madrid
The Blaugrana advanced in the Copa del Rey with a road victory over the Colchoneros.
Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images
Just another day in Spanish football.
Atlético Madrid needed a goal to even the tie on aggregate, and it took less than minute for Fernando Torres to do just that, adding to his legendary status with the Calderon crowd. A poorly delivered long ball from Javer Mascherano was cut off by Guillherme Siqueira, and his volley pass forward found Torres, who collected the ball and pinged his shot in off the far post.
The elation was short lived though as Neymar answered back in the 9th minute to pull Barca even at 1-1. Luis Suárez provided yet another brilliant assist, delivering the ball to Neymar in a tight space. The Brazilian did the rest, getting wide of the lone defender and beating Jan Oblak to the goalkeeper’s left.
Atléti didn’t stop the pressure and earned a penalty in the 29th minute, though replays showed the contact between Javier Mascherano and Juanfran occurred outside the box. Whatever the case, Raúl García hammered the penalty past Marc-Andre ter Stegen, giving the home side a 2-1 lead on the day.
Barca answered again in the 38th minute thanks to some help from João Miranda, who tried to clear a headed down ball by Sergio Busquets in front of his goal. Instead of directing it wide, the defender put it right back Oblak, evening the match yet again at 2-2. Three minutes later after a clear handball by Barcelona in the Atléti box, Barca scored on the ensuing counter attack as Jordi Alba's sliding pull back setup Neymar for a tap-in, and his second goal of the match.
Things got weird.
First, Alba got in a fight with the linesman’s flag. Then Gabi was red carded at halftime after some handbags between players as they left the pitch. Early in the second half, Arda Turan was booked, but not ejected, for throwing his boot at one of the linesman. Seriously.
Next up on the weird moments checklist, a large section of Atléti fans in the end line section turned their backs to the match, in an apparent protest.
The rest of the half was mostly uneventful. Atléti were unable to mount much of a challenge thanks to being a man down. Barca was happy to see out the result and move on to the next round.
Mario Suárez became the second player sent off in the 84th minute when he picked up his second yellow card of the match.
Atlético Madrid: Oblak, Juanfran (Gámez 58’), Miranda, Gimenez, Siqueira, Suárez (red card 84’), Gabi (red card 46’), Turan (Cani 63’), Griezmann (Saúl 46’), Torres
Goals: Torres (1’), García (29’)
Barcelona: ter Stegen, Alves, Pique, Mascherano (Mathieu 62’), Alba, Busquets, Rakitić (Rafinha 70’), Iniesta, Messi, Suárez, Neymar (Pedro 77’)
Goals: Neymar (9’, 41’), Miranda (o.g. 38’)
3 things
1. Diego Simeone is a wizard who fixed Fernando Torres. It doesn’t matter one bit that factors beyond the head coach are likely responsibly for Nando’s renaissance, he’s getting some credit. At this point can we all agree that Nando should’ve never left Atléti? He belongs in the red and white stripes, it’s his place in football. At 30, Spain is the perfect place for the striker thanks to La Liga being a generally less physical league that gives him some space and time to work.
2. Luis Suárez may not be scoring goals, but he makes Barca better. It’s possible to make a case that Barca operates more fluidly with two of their three big strikers on the pitch, but if taking Suárez out is your answer, you’re taking out a genuine weapon. His passing is absurdly good. He can put the place in the perfect spot on a consistent basis, and he’s constantly working his ass off to make his team better. Why would you not want him playing?
3. You simply cannot play wide open against Barca. It was odd to see Diego Simeone do it, especially after a first minute goal from Torres got them the goal they needed. Atléti’s aggressive posture left a ton of space open at the back, and just as you’d expect, Barca took advantage.
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