Real Madrid did their local rivals a favour this past weekend. Two favours, actually.
In beating Barcelona 2-1 in El Clasico the capital outfit not only provided Atletico Madrid some faint hope in La Liga’s title race but also established a template for how to defeat a side that, for much of the season, looked unbeatable.
Saturday’s loss was Barcelona’s first in all competitions since early October—a run of 39 matches—and it’s on the heels of that result that they’ll face Atletico in the first leg of a Champions League quarterfinal on Tuesday. Atletico, for their part, shellacked Real Betis 5-1 on Sunday and now trail the Catalan giants by six points in the table.
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With seven rounds to play regaining the Spanish title is a long shot, perhaps even more unrealistic than finally lifting the European Cup. Besides, it’s the latter trophy Los Colchoneros are especially keen to claim, as club captain Gabi recently pointed out to UEFA.com.
“The only trophy this club has not won is the Champions League, and everyone dreams of it,” he said.
Added teammate Juanfran: “It’s different—something special. Two years ago we didn’t make it and I hope and am convinced that sooner or later we’ll win it.”
Two years ago Atletico faced Barcelona at this exact stage of the competition. And just like this time around they played the first leg at Camp Nou, where they earned a 1-1 draw, before returning to Estadio Vicente Calderon, where they prevailed 1-0. Just over five weeks later their 1-1 draw away to the same opponent secured them the Spanish league title.
So they know what they’re up against; they’ve beaten them before. Only, not this season.
Twice in 2015-16 Atletico have lost 2-1 to Barcelona—first in September, and then in March. Both times they took the lead before the vaunted Blaugrana front-line broke through. Both times Lionel Messi scored the equalizer. Neymar and Luis Suarez potted the winners.
But history doesn’t have to repeat itself. Real Madrid, after all, just went into Camp Nou—as their Clasico rivals were celebrating the life and legacy of Johan Cruyff, no less—and emerged with a hard-fought victory. Atletico can do likewise, if they follow the template Real have laid down for them.
Barcelona, the football world was reminded on Saturday, can be intimidated. Sergio Ramos, who should have been ejected in the first half, single-handedly put a fear into every opponent who came near him, and even Messi couldn’t hid his frustration with the defender’s conduct.
Atletico defender Diego Godin, having recovered from a hamstring injury, can play the “Ramos role” against Messi & Co., and Gabi, Koke and Saul Niguez can do likewise in the centre of the park. Barcelona’s build-up play isn’t nearly as fluid when they’re looking over their shoulders.
Saul, himself, is another key for the guests.
In El Clasico, Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane did brilliantly to deploy midfielder Casemiro as a sort of deep-lying trouble-maker, and the Brazilian’s engine served his side well whenever he created a turnover. The result: Barcelona playmakers Andres Iniesta and Ivan Rakitic simply couldn’t service Messi, Neymar and Suarez as they are typically accustomed.
Saul, who has been immense for Atletico this season, can be a similarly disruptive influence, and if he can successfully mimic Casemiro’s performance his teammates in defense will have considerably less to worry about.
Finally, and somewhat surprisingly, Madrid attackers Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale tracked back with consistency and purpose on Saturday, selflessly committing themselves on the defensive side of the ball. Karim Benzema, meanwhile, operated rather deeper than usual and helped prevent Barcelona’s favoured passing patterns and ball-moving flourishes.
Atletico’s Antoine Griezmann, who is no stranger to team-first obligations, can similarly negate the Catalans’ numerical advantages in the centre of the park, although this type of dedication is something manager Diego Simeone has been drilling into all his players since arriving at the club in 2011.
“Of course, we were hoping for an easier opponent,” remarked Barcelona boss Luis Enrique after being drawn with Atletico. He knows what awaits will not be comfortable, that it will take his side out of their comfort zone.
And he has Real Madrid, at least in part, to thank for that.
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