Fermín López scored twice as Barcelona overturned an early deficit to beat Atlético Madrid 2-1 at the Metropolitano on Sunday, November 8. The victory kept Hansi Flick's team top of LaLiga with 11 wins from 12 matches, three points ahead of Real Madrid and five clear of Atlético.
Barcelona arrived having scored 60 goals in 15 games, but October defeats to Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid had prompted doubts about their ability to overcome stronger opponents. Wins against Alavés in LaLiga and Aston Villa in the Champions League had begun their recovery before Sunday's success against Diego Simeone's side.
The encounter also brought Julián Álvarez back into focus after his attempt to secure a summer move from Atlético to Barcelona. The forward created the opening goal but missed several opportunities to score himself. There was recent history between the clubs, too: Barcelona won both league meetings last season on their way to a second consecutive title, while Atlético eliminated them from the Copa del Rey and Champions League.
Atlético threatened immediately. Álvarez tried to take the ball around Joan García when through on goal but was driven too wide to finish. Marc Pubill then struck the crossbar from the ensuing corner, before Pedri hit the woodwork for Barcelona, all inside the opening seven minutes. Atlético went ahead three minutes later when a switch of play exposed the visiting defence and Álvarez supplied Giuliano Simeone, who had escaped João Cancelo.
Another Cancelo error gave Álvarez a further opening, but García saved and Barcelona cleared the ball as it moved towards the line. The visitors gradually improved and equalised shortly before half-time. López benefited when his attempted pass rebounded to him off Pubill, then delivered a precise finish beyond Jan Oblak.
Flick adjusted his team at the interval, bringing on Frenkie de Jong for Brian Fariñas at right-back. Barcelona gained greater control after struggling to pressure Atlético in the first half. The hosts remained dangerous on the counterattack, however, and Álvarez sent a lob onto the roof of García's net after finding space again.
López then completed the turnaround, meeting a pass from Lamine Yamal with another accomplished finish. It was his eighth goal of the season and came on his 100th LaLiga appearance. "The pass from Lamine was basically half a goal," López said. Simeone praised Atlético's intensity but acknowledged that Barcelona had made better use of their clear opportunities.
Both teams had chances late on. Álvarez saw a shot deflected over, while Álex Baena and substitute Alexander Sørloth also had opportunities for Atlético. At the other end, Yamal failed to connect with an Anthony Gordon cross. Barcelona maintained possession confidently in the closing stages, with Pedri and De Jong prominent, before Flick celebrated with his assistants at the final whistle. "In the second half we did a great job. It's not easy to win here," he said.
