The leader of the Metropolitano was Fermín for Barça's comeback against Atlético

The common thread of Barça responds to the name of Fermín López, decisive when the team works very well and also when it does not find its reason for being, as happened at the Metropolitano. The Blaugrana corrected themselves in time in a very well-played game at the start by Atlético. The red and whites overwhelmed the Barcelona fans and had the match so easy and frank that their victory was taken for granted at 1-0. Fermín then appeared to equalize, Flick corrected himself at half-time with the introduction of De Jong and the change of full-backs and Barça regained its status as leader of the League. Atlético had nothing to say since Fermín's 1-2. Having the best defense in the championship did not help against the most prolific attack due to its assortment of forwards and Fermín.

Atlético came out like a shot, very ball-playing, deep on the sides and especially sharp with Julián Alvarez, who very soon went one-on-one with Joan García. The goalkeeper covered the space very well, the forward lost verticality and the play ended in a corner on Cancelo's side, a hole through which Barça was bleeding, also erratic at 1-0. La Araña did not forgive when he assisted Giuliano from the right profile to confirm Atlético's superiority. Around Koke and Barrios, Simeone's team attacked very well on both wings, broke the offside with changes of orientation, as well as with the movements of Kang-In Lee, and forced Barcelona to retreat.

Although Flick pulled the string against Aston Villa and initially opted for Fariñas as a full-back and Bernal to replace the injured Rodri, there was no way to recognize the Barcelona squad, very distracted and disoriented, only redeemed by Lamine Yamal, superior in one-on-one with Grimaldo. A play by the winger with Pedri that ended with a shot against the Tenerife crossbar was the only sign of life in Barça's attack. Barcelona's game did not flow, the pressure did not work either and the repeated losses of the ball were so clear that in each transition one could guess a goal shot by Atlético, much superior with and without the ball, well focused on Fariñas and Cancelo.

The arrivals followed one another before the goal of Joan García, who again denied Julián Álvarez the goal, minutes after the crossbar returned a Pubill header from a corner kick. Simeone's effective match plan contrasted with Barça's disorganization, permeable in the midfield, without consistency in its area, only enlivened by the appearances of Lamine, increasingly angry at the commotion of his team, who always conceded an extra centimeter and arrived a second late for each Atlético play. Broken and relaxed, Barça neither defended nor attacked, slow in retreating and clumsy against Oblak. There was hardly any news about wild boars like Raphinha and Fermín.

The Andalusian midfielder appeared by surprise a little before the break to finish with his left foot a ball that bounced off Pubill after a drive by Pedri. The goal was a huge relief for a team that, due to the lack of associative play, surrendered to individual actions like that of the Tenerife player, who did not stop turning around to find a bit of meaning in the Barça game, unable to find the thread of the pass, to go out and turn to surprise Atlético. The match especially surpassed the players on whom Flick had precisely bet and, therefore, the coach had to correct himself with the changes, stubborn with his idea of ​​attacking with three forwards: 4-3-3.

The surprise was that Farinas' replacement was De Jong. The Dutchman does not stop circling in search of his place in a team last night that was poorly constructed and dispersed offensively, as if he had forgotten to attack and press, without any personality against an easy-to-identify opponent like Atlético. De Jong's presence helped the team to have more time on the ball, to extend possessions from field to field and to finish the plays against Oblak. Barça took the initiative and improved the pressure while Atlético gave in and did not hit when they could counterattack, as was seen in a tackle by Julián Álvarez who pumped the leather excessively on the exit of Joan García.

The whistles from the red and white fans about the Argentine striker expressed the change of mood in the Metropolitano. Atlético had lost energy after a sovereign effort, less forceful in the duels and without as much speed facing Barça's goal. Simeone soon brought out Sorloth for Kang-in Lee while Flick responded with Christensen instead of Cancelo. The movements from the benches helped balance the contest, with Grimaldo now more present in attack, without Lamine's mark. The winger wanted to score a goal and not cover up his pair when he realized his Barça's chances of victory. The 10th controlled the ball on his right wing and went deep for Fermín's shot.

The midfielder, excellent at breaking points, knew how to find the back of the centre-backs and shoot on goal against Oblak. He had no more lungs left to continue after an extraordinary display, author of eight goals, seven in the League. The clash called for more vigor and Eric and Gavi came out on stage. The control of the Blaugrana increased to the despair of an Atlético that came into a game with the lead within reach at the Metropolitano itself. The disappointment of the fans was tremendous because the team did not find a way to take the ball away from Barcelona. Joan García had a relatively peaceful last half hour due to the excellent management of the ball by Flick's boys.

Neither Julián Álvarez scored, as the Blaugranas feared, nor Raphinha, Simeone's most valued player. The League has little to do with the Cup and the Champions League, tournaments in which Atlético eliminated Barcelona last season, recovered after their defeats against PSG and Madrid. The figure of Fermín has had a lot to do with the rehabilitation. His goal changed the Metropolitano game. There was a before and after 1-1.