Man of the second Julian Alvarez has fired Atletico Madrid right into a 1-0 half time lead over La Liga title rivals Barcelona.
The Argentina worldwide has been on the centre of each headline involving Los Rojiblancos in current days following his disallowed penalty in opposition to Actual Madrid.
Diego Simeone has been decided to make use of their UEFA Champions League frustration as motivation within the remaining title race.
With possibilities at a premium in Madrid, as Lamine Yamal hit the submit early on, Alvarez made the important thing affect simply earlier than the break.
It was nice hyperlink up inside Barcelona’s penalty field from the hosts entrance three as Antoine Griezmann’s threaded move freed Giuliano Simeone and his reduce was lashed residence by Alvarez.
Julian Alvarez opens scoring in opposition to Barcelonapic.twitter.com/tYbnnyd0y7
— Objectives Xtra (@GoalsXtra) March 16, 2025
JULIAN ALVAREZ GIVES ATLETICO MADRID THE LEAD OVER BARCELONA JUST BEFORE HALFTIME!
A CRUCIAL GOAL IN THE LALIGA TITLE RACE 🔥 pic.twitter.com/KL0DbpLS5F
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) March 16, 2025
🤟 JULIAN ALVAREZ! 🤟
It is a HUGE objective on the prime of #LaLiga#AtletiBarca | #ITVFootball pic.twitter.com/t1RtZJkkny
— ITV Soccer (@itvfootball) March 16, 2025
The objective has a significant affect on the stay rankings as Atletico Madrid overtake Barcelona and transfer into second place within the desk in behind Actual Madrid with some extent behind the defending champions.
Barcelona will probably be trying to rally after the restart to keep away from seeing their unbeaten streak in 2025 ended at 17 video games within the Spanish capital.
Nevertheless, current historical past shouldn’t be on their aspect, with Hansi Flick failing to win a recreation in opposition to Los Rojiblancos in his debut marketing campaign in cost.
Alexander Sorloth scored after the 90 minute mark in each conferences this season, to seal a dramatic 2-1 league win in Catalonia again in December, earlier than once more coming off the bench to grab a 4-4 Copa del Rey semi last first leg draw final month.
Nevertheless, Barcelona have emerged as winners on their final two visits to the Estadio Metropolitano, however neither recreation included getting back from a objective down.
Atletico Madrid had gained simply two of their final 5 league video games heading into this conflict with attracts in opposition to Actual Madrid and Celta Vigo plus defeat to Getafe final weekend.
Photographs through Getty Photographs / Getty Photographs