Ousmane Dembele came off the bench to snatch a point for Barcelona as the La Liga leaders drew 1-1 with Atletico Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday.
Atletico took the lead in the 77th minute when Diego Costa headed home at the far post with the game’s first shot on target.
Barca managed to avoid suffering back-to-back league defeats, though, when substitute Dembele scored in the final minute of the match after good work from Lionel Messi.
Positives
This was a drab game which neither side deserved to win. Atletico nearly did nick it, though, so Barca will be relieved not to have lost. Despite the nature of the game, there were some good moments in the first half. The Catalans survived the Atletico press well and looked more organised in defence.
However, the big positive came in the form of Dembele. He’s been in the news recently because of missing a training session earlier this month, but his talent once again did the talking here. As soon as he came on, he provided a threat and he took his goal well. He’s now had a major impact in games against Atletico, Sevilla, Real Valladolid, Real Sociedad, Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano.
Negatives
Barca improved in defence but coach Ernesto Valverde will be disappointed that the clean sheet eluded them. That’s now 11 games in a row without one in the league.
There was also a lack of spark in attack. While they rarely looked like conceding, they rarely looked like scoring. Most of their best chances came from set pieces. That’s not the Barca most supporters want to see.
Manager rating out of 10
5K – Valverde packed the midfield but that only served to neuter his side’s attacking threat and, in a way, played into Diego Simeone’s hands. He turned to the pace of Dembele and Malcom once his side fell behind, despite Atletico shutting up shop and closing down the space. Was lucky that Dembele got him out of jail.
Player ratings (1-10; 10 = best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Marc-Andre ter Stegen, 6 — Given his high standards, he will be disappointed with Costa’s goal. He could have come to claim the cross, and, even though he didn’t, he could perhaps have done better with the Spain international’s header, too.
DF Nelson Semedo, 6 — Looks frightened to lose the ball, which results in negative passes time and again. Valverde needs to exploit his best virtues: his pace and his ability to get forward.
DF Gerard Pique, 7 — One of his better performances this season. Made one brilliant clearance when Costa looked set to poke home after good work from Antoine Griezmann.
DF Samuel Umtiti, 6 — Returned to the side for the first time since September, replacing the unfortunate Clement Lenglet. Looked short of match practice at times, like when he was dispossessed by Griezmann in the first half.
DF Jordi Alba, 6 — Lively on the left without really being able to pack a punch in a game not made for players with attacking intent.
MF Sergio Busquets, 7 — One lovely nutmeg on Costa in the first half epitomised his cool performance in a match which was largely played out in the middle third of the pitch.
MF Sergi Roberto, 5 — Wasted a glorious chance to deliver a killer ball after a well-worked short corner before being forced off with a hamstring injury.
MF Arthur, 6 — Useful in the first half as Barca kept the ball and killed the Atletico press, but was caught out a couple of times after the break — once by Griezmann.
MF Arturo Vidal, 6 — Got everywhere and pressed well on his third La Liga start, but will regret giving a silly foul away before Costa’s opener.
FW Lionel Messi, 6 — Not at his best, but still Barca’s danger man given the number of players he attracts. Did brilliantly to set up Dembele for the equaliser.
FW Luis Suarez, 5 — Was much better when Messi was injured. Has looked a little out of touch in the two games since the Argentine returned.
Substitutes
MF Rafinha, 6 — Replaced the injured Roberto and did OK without really making his case for a regular spot in the side.
FW Ousmane Dembele, 7 — Made an immediate impact with his pace, running at Atletico’s defenders and causing panic. Scored the late equaliser which spared Barca’s blushes.
FW Malcom, N/R — Given the final few minutes as Barca frantically sought a leveller.