No sooner had I suggested we may get a four-horse title race in La Liga, the reigning champions and title-winning side of Hansi Flick go and shatter that concept.
Ok, so 2022 champions Atletico Madrid are far from out of it. But after a 3-1 defeat at the refurbished Nou Camp on Tuesday night, the club from the capital is six points behind the Catalans and, therefore, six points off the pace.
Atletico can beat anyone on their day, as shown in September when they hit city rivals Real Madrid for five and, until then, that had been their only league defeat so far this term.
In the build-up, they were impressing at home and abroad, including a last-gasp Champions League victory over Inter Milan last week. Yet this is where they slipped back as Ferran Torres’ 96th-minute goal made certain of a 3-1 home win.
At one point, our SBOTOP La Liga 2025 betting odds would have earned you decent money on Atletico moving level on points at the summit.
Alex Baena’s 19th-minute opener breached the hosts’ high line as the midfielder ran onto a fine ball from Nahuel Molina and deftly finished beyond Joan Garcia.
Offside was initially given, but Baena was confirmed to have been in line with the last defender, Pau Cubarsi, following a VAR check.
Perhaps it would have been different had Diego Simeone’s side managed to keep hold of their lead for longer, but within seven minutes, Barca were level as Pedri – considered the man of the match by Football Espana – slipped the ball through to Raphinha and the Brazilian rounded Jan Oblak before tapping into an empty net for his second goal in as many matches.
Barca had a glorious chance to take the lead before the break, but the usually reliable Robert Lewandowski ballooned his spot-kick over the crossbar.
Into the second half and the decisive second goal arrived after 65 minutes when Dani Olmo slotted home, deftly finding the corner after a pass from Polish frontman Lewandowski.
It came at a cost as Olmo injured his shoulder in the process and had to be substituted straight away, replaced by on-loan Manchester United man Marcus Rashford (six goals and seven assists in 18 Barcelona appearances to date).
By that point Atletico had suffered a personnel blow of their own with Baena having to leave the fray holding his hamstring.
The game remained in the balance and 10 minutes from time the visitors had a wonderful opportunity to level matters only for Thiago Almada to fire wide from close range. It was to prove costly and, deep in injury time, substitute Torres sealed the three points from close range, firing in an excellent cross from Alejandro Balde.
Another important victory for the Catalans who seem to be delivering La Liga 2025 highlights at a time when arch rivals Real Madrid are stuttering a little.
Xabi Alonso’s side, who had a five-point advantage at the front not so long ago, have the chance to reduce the gap back to a solitary point when they make the tricky trip to Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday evening.
As for Atletico, who stay a comfortable fourth, it is easy to forget this is a completely new look Los Rojiblancos this season with summer arrivals such as Baena (from Villarreal), Johnny Cardoso (Real Betis), Matteo Ruggeri (Atalanta), David Hancko (Feyenoord), and Marc Pubill (Almeria) among the regulars in the starting XI.
If they maintain their usual consistency, their top four berth should not be in doubt. A title tilt looks a bit too much though.
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