Barcelona failed to grab their chance to close the gap on Real Madrid at the top of La Liga after being held to a 1-1 draw by Atletico at the Camp Nou on Wednesday night.
After Real Madrid missed their glorious opportunity to secure a La Liga record 17 consecutive wins and settled for a draw against Villarreal, their respective Clasico and city rivals, Barcelona and Atletico were handed a great chance to close the gap on the Los Blancos at the top.
However, the two Spanish giants played out a draw at the Camp Nou with Angel Correa cancelling out Ivan Rakitic’s first half opener to ensure the Rojiblancos return to the capital with at least a point.
?? #FCB XI:
1. Ter Stegen
3. Piqué
4. Rakitic
5. Sergio
8. Iniesta
9. Suárez
10. Messi
11. Neymar
14. Mascherano
18. Alba
20. S. Roberto— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 21, 2016
These are the eleven chosen by @Simeone! #GoAtleti #BarçaAtleti #FCBAtleti pic.twitter.com/GpwRTqNLzm
— Atleti English (@atletienglish) September 21, 2016
Ivan Rakitic got the proceedings underway towards the end of the 1st half after he found himself at the end of a magisterial cross from Andres Iniesta and duly converted his opportunity to send the Blaugrana ahead on the night. Fans gave the Serbian credit and lauded his penchant for turning up in the big clashes for the Catalans.
RAKITIC ❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/9LDUlLGaPo
— Messi World (@MessiWorId) September 21, 2016
Barcelona 1-0 up. Goal by Rakitic, assist by Iniesta. #FCBAtleti
— MESSISTATS ?? (@MessiStats) September 21, 2016
This isn’t said NEARLY enough: Ivan Rakitic is an incredible big game player. Clutch through the roof.
— Viktor Z (@culevic) September 21, 2016
Rakitic, coming up clutch. Again
— SOCCER.COM (@soccerdotcom) September 21, 2016
Rakitic pic.twitter.com/Bl7waZOlEn
— Iniestazo (@Don_Iniestazo) September 21, 2016
I still remember that Saturday night I stayed up late mad that Luis Enrique passed on Toni Kroos to sign Rakitic…
We know what followed ?
— Rafael Hernández (@RafaelH117) September 21, 2016
Reminder that Ivan Rakitic was a £15.3m transfer.
— Janusz Michallik (@JanuszMichallik) September 21, 2016
Magisterial cross from Don Andres, fabulous header from Rakitic! https://t.co/HYtIlg2BRy
— BWW Videos (@BWWvideos) September 21, 2016
Rakitic easily the man of the match imo
— XH6 (@XaviAssist) September 21, 2016
Angel Correa, who hails from the same town as Lionel Messi in Argentina, equalized for Atletico in the second half and also went on to deliver a stellar performance coming off the bench on the night, much to the delight of the fans and boss Diego Simeone.
Correa is on fire, Mascherano is terrified! https://t.co/WXAokFNDFr
— Adrián B.P (@51ABP) September 21, 2016
Ángel Correa’s up there with your Dybala’s and whatnot, simple
— h (@KokeAndMentos) September 21, 2016
A 7th La Liga goal for Angel Correa (21). Only 7 players have a better goal participation rate than him after 2014https://t.co/1aAA94VCUU
— Mr. Numbers (@Mister_Numbers) September 21, 2016
7 – Ángel Correa has scored more goals as a substitute than any other player in La Liga since last season. Revolution.
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) September 21, 2016
Ángel Correa: Has scored two goals from three shots on target for Atletico Madrid this season #FCBAtleti
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) September 21, 2016
Angel Correa grabs the equaliser for Atletico against Barca! Over to you MSN…
— UNILAD Football (@UNILADFooty) September 21, 2016
Ángel Correa. A player free from the restrictions Atleti often play with. Two goals and an assist in 72 minutes in LaLiga.
— David Cartlidge (@davidjaca) September 21, 2016
Messi goes off injured, Mascherano slips, Angel Correa equalises for Atletico. Barcelona have had better minutes.
— Rory Smith (@RorySmith) September 21, 2016
There was more concern for Barcelona as Lionel Messi hobbled off due to an injury and was ruled out for 3 weeks. He could be set for a return against Manchester City in the Champions League.
When you hear Messi is out injured for 3 weeks ? pic.twitter.com/cHvoWx0ybT
— Leo Messi (@messi10stats) September 22, 2016
OFFICIAL: LIONEL MESSI IS OUT INJURED FOR 3 WEEKS. GET WELL SOON LEO ❤️ pic.twitter.com/SkaSkFEZlO
— YasserTheGreat (@TheBarcaFanBoy) September 21, 2016
[BREAKING NEWS] Leo Messi has groin strain in his right leg and he will be out for around 3 weeks pic.twitter.com/LrzDbsgqM6
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 21, 2016
Suárez: “It was bad to lose Messi, he’s so important. It was also bad to draw at home.” [fcb]
— Papers Of Barca (@PapersOfBarca) September 22, 2016
Messi is officially out for 3 weeks. pic.twitter.com/aSbelrtZXu
— Zeiad (@zeiadelaarag) September 21, 2016
Lionel Messi has been ruled out of action for 3 weeks with an injury. Possible return is against City in the Champions League (October 19).
— City Watch (@City_Watch) September 21, 2016
Official: Messi out for three weeks.
And I officially quit life for three weeks.— AHMED THE CULÉ. (@MessiCuIe) September 21, 2016
