TALK ING POIN T S
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Spanish Primera División
An intriguing clash of styles Jordi Punti is a novelist and the author of many football features in the Spanish media. Not much happens in Spain in winter, when grey skies and cool temperatures are borne with exaggerated stoicism. It is probably for that reason that no one takes much notice of who is crowned the league’s so-called “winter champions”, except for the team in question of course. This season the second-class distinction has been earned by Barcelona, though they should perhaps be compelled to share it with Atletico Madrid. Both sides have amassed 50 points over the first half of the campaign and shown the same faith in their football, with Barça only topping the table on goal difference. Their meeting last Saturday showed there is not much to choose between them, the two playing out a goalless draw at the Vicente Calderon. It was the third time they have cancelled each other out in three encounters this season, the first two coming in the Spanish Super Cup. Though the result might suggest otherwise, it was an exciting and highly charged affair, with play flowing from end to end and defensive organisation u ltimately winning out over attacking flair.
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The two Argentinian coaches – Diego Cholo Simeone and Gerardo Tata Martino – turned the evening into a clash of styles. Atletico played with their usual defensive intensity, with Barcelona responding in typical fashion, controlling the ball and passing it around. Whenever Los Rojiblancos sought to up the pace and wrest control of the game, the Catalans retorted with their well-grooved, lyrical brand of football, displaying the patience needed to let the ball do the work rather than the players. Though they all excelled, Atletico’s most creative players, namely Diego Costa, Koke and Arda Turan, caused Victor Valdes few problems in the opposing goal. As for Barcelona, people will ask if Martino picked the right team. Unexpectedly leaving his two star acts – Lionel Messi and Neymar – on the bench, he opted for confidence over genius by fielding Cesc Fabregas, Alexis Sanchez and Pedro, his most in-form forwards over the last few weeks. We will never know if Messi and Neymar would have been able to break through the defensive web spun by Atletico in the first half, though the Argentinian did come on for the injured Andres Iniesta at the restart, whereupon Barça relinquished their grip on the ball slightly but found the unpredictable edge that Messi invariably gives them. Indeed their best chance fell to him, with Atleti keeper Thibaut Courtois pulling off a fine stop. Messi’s new year return is good news for Barcelona and for football lovers in general.
Comeback kid Lionel Messi (centre) is back in action. He takes on Atletico Madrid’s Miranda (right) and Mendes. 22
T H E F I FA W E E K LY
His two-month injury layoff came to an end in the Copa del Rey tie against Getafe a few days ago. He marked the occasion by scoring twice in 20 minutes, his second goal coming after a typically explosive run that left several defenders trailing in his wake, proof that he has made a full recovery. In the press conference that followed Saturday’s match at the Calderon, Simeone was asked what the difference was between the two teams. “The difference is €400m in their budgets,” he said. Though factually correct, his reply had a whiff of populist sentiment about it. After all, Atletico have also beaten more than their fair share of clubs with smaller budgets. The second half of the season will determine what really separates the two sides and who holds the upper hand. Messi’s return and Neymar’s upturn in form could prove decisive. While Barça have been putting out a different line-up every week, Atletico have stuck to virtually the same 14 players, with few variations along the way. Simeone has put his faith in a select group, to the extent that he has sent young Brazilian striker Leo Baptistao on loan to Real Betis. It remains to be seen, however, if his chosen few will be able to cope physically when the business end of the domestic and European season arrives. Should Barcelona and Atletico Madrid keep going toe to toe, the title could conceivably come down to their meeting on the last day of the season at the Camp Nou, though Real Madrid may well have something to say about that of course. Though not at their best, Real chiselled out a priceless 1-0 win at Espanyol on Sunday, allowing them to move to within a mere three points of their rivals. With half a season remaining, all is to play for in Spain. Å
Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Image
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