European Champions League
Barcelona 1 - Atlético Madrid 1
Barcelona: Pinto; Dani Alves, Piqué (Marc Bartra 11‘), Mascherano, Jordi Alba; Xavi, Busquets, Iniesta; Fàbregas (Alexis 67’), Messi, Neymar. 4-3-3.
Atlético: Courtois; Juanfran, Miranda, Godín, Filipe Luis; Koke, Gabi, Tiago, Arda Turan (Cristian Rodríguez 76’); David Villa (José Sosa 69’), Diego Costa (Diego Ribas 29’). 4-4-2.
Goals:
0-1. 56. Diego. Picked up ball outside area and curled long shot inside near post.
1-1. 71. Neymar. Ran on to Iniesta pass and struck angled shot wide of Courtois.
For the fourth time this season there was nothing to choose between Barcelona and Atlético Madrid, although Simeone’s side will be happier with the result as they take a score draw back to next week’s second leg in the Calderón stadium. As in the last three meetings between these two sides this season, it was an intense match, with Piqué and Diego Costa having to be substituted with less than half an hour gone. David Villa put the first chance just wide of the post and Messi fired a free kick at the defensive wall, and Godín made an important block as Iniesta advanced on goal. Neymar also went close a couple of times before the break, but ten minutes in to the second half substitute Diego picked up a short Godín free kick outside of the area and curled a shot inside Pinto’s near post. Soon afterwards Courtois had to be at his best to keep out a Busquets volley, but a few minutes later Iniesta slotted a ball through for Neymar to equalize from a wide angle. After that Barça pushed for the winner, but Courtois produced top class saves from a shot by Iniesta and a Messi free kick to give his side the advantage going in to next Wednesday’s return match.