Felix made the distinction once more: Xavi | The Specific Tribune

Joao Felix’s very good dinked end earned Barcelona an important 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid on Sunday within the La Liga title race.

The Portuguese ahead, on mortgage at Barca from Atletico, made no secret of his pleasure to flee the Spanish capital this summer time and made his guardian membership pay on the Olympic Stadium.

Felix was criticised by some Atletico gamers forward of the sport and Barca coach Xavi Hernandez known as on him to make use of these phrases as inspiration, which he duly did.

The ahead’s objective allowed Barca to reclaim third place from Atletico, now trailing leaders Actual Madrid and second-placed Girona by 4 factors.

“He made the distinction for the crew once more, he gave all the pieces, working arduous, stealing the ball again, I’m very glad for him,” Xavi advised reporters.

“I advised him to be calm, this additional motivation typically speeds you up and also you cross the road.”

Xavi hailed his gamers’ efficiency as an entire.

“The crew had persona, we performed very effectively as we speak – possibly it is our greatest sport of the season, a whole one, I might say.

“It is a very constructive signal of what we will and will do in each sport – that is what Barca needs to be.”

Atletico haven’t received away towards the champions in La Liga since 2006, a run now stretching to 18 matches, however arrived pondering this might be the time to snap that streak.

Since crumbling to a defeat within the Clasico by Actual Madrid on the finish of October, Barcelona have struggled for kind and confidence.

Barcelona began effectively, carving out possibilities and Felix broke the impasse after 28 minutes, taking an excellent contact to trip Nahuel Molina’s problem after which dinking the ball over Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak.

Felix celebrated with arms aloft, standing on the promoting hoardings in entrance of the offended visiting supporters, whereas Rojiblancos coach Diego Simeone appeared disgruntled as he flashed up on the large screens.

The 24-year-old ahead, a membership document signing at 126 million euros ($137 million) in 2019, by no means settled within the capital and didn’t click on with Simeone’s administration and enjoying fashion.

“It was spontaneous… within the warmth of the sport and it was like a aid, for all the pieces I lived by way of this summer time,” Felix advised Movistar about his celebration.

“Each week I am talked about, whether or not for good or unhealthy, I do my job, with out what they are saying or assume.”

Maybe not coincidentally, Axel Witsel was quickly booked for hacking Felix to the bottom shortly after.

Felix got here near a second with a prodded effort from Ilkay Gundogan’s cut-back, however this time Oblak denied him.

Gundogan impressed in midfield alongside fit-again duo Pedri and Frenkie de Jong, as Barcelona managed the sport.

Raphinha clipped the submit at first of the second half to get Barcelona followers out of their seats.

Regardless of their high-calibre opponents, the attendance fell wanting 35,000 and was the membership’s poorest this season, with supporters maybe chastened by the colder winter evenings and the late kick-off.

Atletico improved within the second half however not by sufficient to drive an equaliser.

Talisman Antoine Griezmann labored arduous however couldn’t discover the online towards his previous employers — he has not netted in 14 video games towards Barca for the Rojiblancos.

Memphis Depay, one other ex-Barcelona participant, got here closest for Atletico with a free-kick tipped over by Inaki Pena, between the sticks for the hosts rather than the damage Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

“They began higher, that they had extra persona with the ball,” admitted Simeone.

“The crew improved and had the possibilities to equalise.”

Robert Lewandowski ought to have wrapped up Barcelona’s victory however pulled an effort huge late on – he solely has three targets in his final 10 video games for the membership throughout all competitions.

Atletico, fourth, path Barca by three factors and the highest two by seven.

“The concept was to go for the sport and I do not know what occurred,” Atletico goalkeeper Oblak advised Movistar.

“No one was good within the first half, no person wished the ball, no person wished to play.”

Earlier winless backside facet Almeria had been held 0-0 at dwelling by 10-man Actual Betis, seventh, on Sunday.

Struggling Sevilla, fifteenth, drew 1-1 with Villarreal and haven’t received in 10 matches below new coach Diego Alonso between La Liga and the Champions League.