In a match where the match officials took centre stage yet again, the former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Argentina-c2841 international graciously accepted defeat and praised compatriot Messi for his genius.
South American flavour was the speciality of the night as Atletico Madrid welcomed Spanish champions, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Vicente-c36001 Calderon.
Brazilian right-back, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Radamel-Falcao-c30276, got on the score sheet for Atletico.
Alves opened the scoring for the visitors just after the half hour mark, tapping the ball into the net after a beautifully executed Barcelona move.
Falcao brought the match to equal footing with his powerful left-footed shot piercing Victor Valdes’ defence with scintillating effect.
Messi came to the rescue of La Blaugrana and spared them more La Liga agony as the match looked destined to a 1-1 draw. The pint-sized attacker hit the back of the net with a sublime free kick to tilt the match in Barcelona’s favour. Messi’s heroics sealed
the match with a paltry nine minutes left to play.
Reflecting on the match, Atletico coach, http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Diego-c11058 Simeone, stated that he was pleased with the result and was happy with the performance of his players.
The former http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Lazio-c39775 player admitted Barcelona’s supremacy in the first round but added that Atletico should have taken the lead in the second half as the match opened up.
However, at the end of the match, Los Rojiblancos coach had only good words to report. Simeone praised Messi’s influence in taking the match away from them.
“Results are always fair. We tried to play the game in a specific way and close down the spaces," the coach stated.
"In the first half it was difficult for us and in the second half the game was more open. We could have taken the lead, but a genius [Messi] left us with nothing.”
Simeone also took out time to praise the match officials on a night where some notable decisions went against Atletico. The coach highlighted that there were mistakes made but they are normal in the world of football.
Atletico will travel to http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Ramon-c30533 Sanchez Pizjuan for their next La Liga fixture on 3rd March.
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