Barcelona and Atlético Madrid played out an instant classic at the Camp Nou on Sunday with the hosts, despite being a man down for over 20 minutes, winning 4-2 to reenter the LaLiga top four for the first time since matchweek three.
Luis Suárez kept Atléti in it, but Adama Traoré was electric in his first game since arriving on loan from Wolves, and the 38-year-old Dani Alves stole the headlines with a goal, assist and straight red card during his 69 minutes on the pitch.
For the last decade this fixture has traditionally gone a long way towards determining which side wins LaLiga, but on Sunday, in a meeting between fourth and fifth in the table, it was all about qualifying for next season's Champions League.
The Camp Nou, which has been entirely lifeless at times this campaign, was at its best with roughly 90,000 in attendance to get a glimpse of the club's new January signings. Ferran Torres started at striker and Traoré went in at right wing, while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang took a place on the bench and could bee seen smiling in the Catalan sunshine as kickoff approached.
There was also warm applause for Suárez when the team sheets were announced inside the Camp Nou, and it was the former Barça legend who created the opener with eight minutes on the clock after finding space between Jordi Alba and Gerard Piqué out wide before picking out Yannick Carrasco for the finish.
It was a sucker punch to the home team, which was playing some stylish football and finding space to operate between Atlético's defensive lines.
Barça didn't have to wait long for an equalizer. In the 10th minute the immortal Alves picked out Alba in the area, and the fullback-to-fullback connection ended with one of the greatest shinned volleys you'll ever see.
WHAT A GOAL BY JORDI ALBA!!! pic.twitter.com/T7vvB8WdHE
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 6, 2022
Traoré's arrival in Barcelona was criticized by many as a piece of desperation given the winger's lack of goals and assists during his time at Wolverhampton, but the Blaugrana took the lead in the 21st minute when Traoré — who didn't have an assist in 20 EPL appearances — measured a cross that was met by the 17-year-old Gavi.
Adama Traore setting up Gavi for the finish to lead over Atleti! pic.twitter.com/ge7UOkOF1Z
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 6, 2022
Traoré's every action in the opening 45 brought the crowd to its feet.
Adama turned on the after burners pic.twitter.com/UQZvyhmiDD
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 6, 2022
Barcelona's greatness was matched by Atléti's ineptitude. The home side made it 3-1 before halftime off a set piece that generated three consecutive chances: Piqué's initial header crashed off the crossbar, Torres whiffed on a scissor attempt and Ronald Araújo eventually powered it home.
Diego Simeone's side looked impossibly meek.
Third time's a charm
Ronald Araujo extends Barca's lead! pic.twitter.com/JMuTwXVQqN— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 6, 2022
Atlético's embarrassment continued directly after halftime. Four minutes after the restart, Alves put his laces through one for his first Barça goal since Dec. 2, 2015.
Simeone made a triple sub (João Félix is back in the dog house), and the Colchoneros pulled one back in the 58th through Suárez. Despite there being over 30 minutes left, it really felt like a meaningless consolation goal already.
However, in the 69th minute, things got interesting after a VAR review ended with a straight red card to Dani Alves. The 38-year-old had produced a truly memorable performance, but this was a nasty challenge on an unsuspecting Carrasco.
Dani Alves straight red pic.twitter.com/1DQteBSTcC
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 6, 2022
Xavi immediately brought on Sergiño Dest to reinforce the backline, and Atlético never really came close to pulling another back despite the man advantage.
Barcelona vs. Atlético Full Match Highlights
The victory sees Barcelona leapfrog Atlético and into fourth, two points above Atléti and two points behind third-place Real Betis.
Barcelona is climbing off a seven-match unbeaten streak. Photo: Google
