Barcelona secure all 3 point against Atletico Madrid as Joao Felix haunt parent club

In a match where both teams were eager to keep pace with Real Madrid and Girona at the league's summit, the early exchanges were predictably intense.

The initial glimpse of goal came from the visitors as Nahuel Molina's strike was cleared off the line by Ronald Araújo. However, Barcelona swiftly retaliated with Robert Lewandowski missing a rare opportunity by heading wide from a close range of six yards.

Lewandowski struggled to find his precision in the early phases, squandering another chance from Jules Koundé's precise delivery by blasting wide. Nonetheless, Barcelona didn't have to wait much longer to break the deadlock. João Félix, who had been sidelined during Diego Simeone's tenure, seized the moment by delicately lobbing the ball into the net, adding a touch of personal triumph against his former club.

Félix's goal was celebrated emphatically in front of the traveling Atlético fans. Despite the expectation for this to ignite a response from the visitors, it failed to provoke a significant reaction.

Barcelona, on the other hand, emerged after halftime with a hunger to extend their lead, coming close when Raphinha's strike hit the post around the hour mark. Simeone, visibly discontent with his team's performance, utilized all five substitutions by the 66th minute, hoping for a change in fortunes. However, even the introduction of former Barcelona player Memphis Depay couldn't sway the match in Atlético's favor.

Depay put in a valiant effort, notably with a powerful free-kick destined for the top corner, only to be denied by a spectacular save from Iñaki Peña Sotorres, deflecting the shot onto the woodwork.

This near miss encapsulated Atlético's closest opportunity to equalize, as Barcelona held firm to secure the three points, positioning themselves within striking distance of the top two teams. Atlético, despite the loss, remain in contention, holding a trump card with a game in hand.