Wednesday, January 21, 2015

Barcelona 1-0 Atletico Madrid: Lionel Messi misses a penalty but scores the rebound to finally end visitors' resistance and give Luis Enrique's men slender advantage in Copa del Rey quarter-final

  • Lionel Messi scores after 85 minutes to break Atletico Madrid's resistance on Wednesday night
  • Argentine saw his penalty saved by Jan Oblak but he followed up to tap in the rebound into an open goal 
  • Juanfran's challenge on Sergio Busquets brought a penalty in the 83rd minute of the match at the Nou Camp 
  • Two sides will meet again next week in the Copa del Rey quarter-final second leg at Vicente Calderon
  • Fernando Torres started for Atletico but was hooked at half-time for Mario Mandzukic by Diego Simeone  
  •            Lionel Messi gave Barcelona the narrowest of first-leg leads over Atletico Madrid in their Copa del Rey quarter-final on Wednesday night.
    With stalemate looming Barcelona were awarded penalty four minutes from time and, although the Argentine saw his spot kick saved, he rammed home the rebound to give his team the edge ahead of next week’s second leg.
    After a cautious start to the game from both sides, Neymar was the first to go close - forcing a save from Jan Oblak. Alongside the Brazilian, Luis Suarez was occupying Uruguayan team-mate Diego Godin and Messi was loitering with intent on the right wing, making a fool of left-back Siqueira whenever he could. 
    Lionel Messi (left) runs off in celebration after scoring the rebound having missed a penalty to put Barcelona ahead against Atletico Madrid
    Lionel Messi (left) runs off in celebration after scoring the rebound having missed a penalty to put Barcelona ahead against Atletico Madrid
    Barca players jump on top of Messi and celebrate in the corner after the Argentine's winner against Atletico on Wednesday night
    Barca players jump on top of Messi and celebrate in the corner after the Argentine's winner against Atletico on Wednesday night
    Messi taps home the rebound from his missed penalty as he scores into an open goal to net the only strike of the match
    Messi taps home the rebound from his missed penalty as he scores into an open goal to net the only strike of the match
    Jan Oblak (left) longs on agonisingly after Messi taps home the winner for the home side to give them a slender first-leg advantage
    Jan Oblak (left) longs on agonisingly after Messi taps home the winner for the home side to give them a slender first-leg advantage
    Messi (left) is followed by Barca team-mate Luis Suarez as the Catalans show relief at finally breaking Atletico's resistance
    Messi (left) is followed by Barca team-mate Luis Suarez as the Catalans show relief at finally breaking Atletico's resistance
    Luis Suarez jumps on the back of Messi to congratulate him after his matchwinner against Atletico in the Copa del Rey quarter-final first leg
    Luis Suarez jumps on the back of Messi to congratulate him after his matchwinner against Atletico in the Copa del Rey quarter-final first leg

    MATCH FACTS 

    BARCELONA (4-3-3): Ter Stegen; Alba, Alves, Piqué, Mascherano; Rakitic (Xavi 77), Busquets, Iniesta (Bartra 87); Suárez, Messi, Neymar
    Subs not used: Masip, Pedro, Rafinha, Roberto, Adriano
    Goal: Messi (85)
    Bookings: Suarez, Mascherano
    ATLETICO MADRID (4-4-2): Oblak; Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Siqueira; Mario Suarez, Gabi (Jimenez 88), Koke, Arda; Griezmann (Garcia 66), Torres (Mandzukic 46)
    Subs not used: Rumbo, Niguez, Gamez, Vargas 
    Bookings: Juanfran, Gabi Godin
    On one foray into a more central position the Argentine almost scored Barcelona’s first. Rakitic's cross was slammed at him at uncontrollable speed but he still killed it dead and got his shot away just over Oblak’s bar.
    Alves found Suarez with an equally-awkward pass but the former Liverpool striker couldn’t quite control the ball with Godin in close attendance.
    Atletico were not offering too much going forward - but they were forcing set-pieces and corners. Arda Turan went down after being challenged by Rakitic and was struggling to walk when he got back to his feet but he recovered immediately when the rebound from the subsequent free-kick came out to him and he fired it straight back at Marc-Andre Ter Stegen.
    Torres was being jeered at every turn. His eight goals in 12 games record against Barca made him a threat but his aim was off in the first half, shooting through Pique’s legs out for a corner and running into the same defender when a misplaced pass from Sergio Busquets played him through.
    The other former Liverpool striker - Suarez - was having no more luck. He was hacked down from behind by Godin and the referee waved play-on. To add to his frustration he was then gifted Barca’s best chance of the half from a Rakitic pass but blazed over from the edge of the six-yard box. His name rang around the stadium as supporters did their best to get behind him but the frustration was palpable.
    Torres went from Pique’s pocket to the bench for the re-start as Mario Mandzukic came on for the second half. Andres Iniesta had Barcelona’s first chance of the second period but, played in by 
  • Fernando Torres (right) of Atletico Madrid competes for the ball with Barcelona's Jordi Alba at the Nou Camp on Wednesday night
    Fernando Torres (right) of Atletico Madrid competes for the ball with Barcelona's Jordi Alba at the Nou Camp on Wednesday night
    Torres (right) jumps for the ball to compete with Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen in the Copa del Rey quarter-final first leg
    Torres (right) jumps for the ball to compete with Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen in the Copa del Rey quarter-final first leg
    The former Chelsea and Liverpool striker (left) advances up-field with the ball as Barca's Jordi Alba chances him
    The former Chelsea and Liverpool striker (left) advances up-field with the ball as Barca's Jordi Alba chances him
    Lionel Messi walks along the field
    Lionel Messi spits on the pitch during the match at the Nou Camp on Wednesday
    Lionel Messi (left) walks along the field before spitting on the pitch during the match at the Nou Camp on Wednesday
    Fernando Torres (right) of Atletico Madrid competes for the ball with Barcelona's Jordi Alba at the Nou Camp on Wednesday night
    Fernando Torres (right) of Atletico Madrid competes for the ball with Barcelona's Jordi Alba at the Nou Camp on Wednesday night
    Torres (right) jumps for the ball to compete with Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen in the Copa del Rey quarter-final first leg
    Torres (right) jumps for the ball to compete with Barca goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen in the Copa del Rey quarter-final first leg
    The former Chelsea and Liverpool striker (left) advances up-field with the ball as Barca's Jordi Alba chances him
    The former Chelsea and Liverpool striker (left) advances up-field with the ball as Barca's Jordi Alba chances him
    Lionel Messi walks along the field
    Lionel Messi spits on the pitch during the match at the Nou Camp on Wednesday
    Lionel Messi (left) walks along the field before spitting on the pitch during the match at the Nou Camp on Wednesday

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