João Félix killed off Atlético Madrid, and he could not have enjoyed it any more, extracting revenge on the club that still owns him and to which he hopes never to return. The Portuguese, on loan at Barcelona, scored the only goal as they defeated Atlético at Montjuic, securing a vital victory that came laced with vindication, then he produced a celebration that showed just what it meant to him. Leaping on to the advertising board, he stood arms wide. So now what?
At the moment, he is the victor. It may have only been one game, but it was a highly anticipated match and it ended in his favor, relieving all the tension on the field. If he was disliked at Atlético before, it seems that his actions at Montjuic have only strengthened this sentiment. However, on this particular night in Catalonia, he was welcomed with open arms like never before, and it’s no surprise. This was a significant win for a team that has been facing pressure, providing a sense of relief for everyone involved. When he left the game with 15 minutes remaining, he walked past Diego Simeone without acknowledging him, but internally, it was likely a different story. He then hugged his coach, Xavi, and showed his appreciation to the crowd who gave him a standing ovation.
Félix had a strong performance during the lead-up to this match, which, despite being a significant clash between top teams in third and fourth place, had turned into a personal battle for him. He exchanged words with others, took verbal jabs, and sent messages with thinly veiled meanings. Antoine Griezmann commented that Félix, who is 24 years old, has not been consistent enough to make a real impact in his four years at Atlético. Simeone pointed out that anyone can have a good game. Xavi interpreted this as a slight and suggested it should motivate Félix to play even better.
It definitely happened. And even though it was just one game, it was an impressive one, showcasing his skill. Whatever occurred with him in Madrid, it still bothers him. It also motivates him. They didn’t greet each other like old friends, but rather like enemies ready to settle their differences. The Portuguese player took pleasure in proving himself right – and, it should be noted, severing ties with his former team. He may have to return there eventually, even though no one wanted that before and even less so now.
He experienced one of his greatest moments after thirty minutes, swiftly maneuvering past Atlético’s defense and evading José María Giménez before skillfully lifting the ball over Jan Oblak. The play was exceptional, with Jules Koundé and Raphinha attacking Atlético to set him up. He had never scored against Real Madrid or Barcelona before, but now, with his first attempt, he had scored against Atlético. This was his first league goal in nine games, and if he had to pick one, it would be this one.
Thirty minutes had passed and Barcelona was in the lead. It shouldn’t have taken them that long, as they had a great start with four chances created in the first 15 minutes. The first opportunity was for Raphinha within the first minute, followed by a missed header not long after. However, Robert Lewandowski was mostly to blame, which has unfortunately been the trend lately. He missed a volley and accidentally hit himself in the face with a header, causing both physical pain and a blow to his ego.
Marcos Llorente was unable to take a shot as Frenkie de Jong arrived just in time to stop him. De Jong, who had played exceptionally well, also prevented Griezmann from having another chance. He dove in to block the shot. During the corner kick, Atlético scored a goal, but it was disallowed because the referee had already blown the whistle. Félix was on the ground and Giménez was standing over him, arguing. This wasn’t the first altercation between the two and it wouldn’t be the last.
Once again, the Portuguese player stood up and had a potential second goal opportunity just before the first half ended. However, Oblak came through with a spectacular save from close range, and Hermoso’s ankle made contact with him as he took the shot. Simeone was dissatisfied with the situation and made three substitutions during halftime. One of the players replaced was César Azpilicueta, who received a yellow card for a challenge on Félix just two minutes after coming onto the field. The two players clashed again, with Simeone accusing Félix of diving and the latter responding with words. It wasn’t a friendly exchange like, “Hey boss, great to see you again.”
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He was deriving more pleasure from this than they were, successfully provoking them as Barcelona maintained the upper hand. Pedri was becoming more influential and Raphinha’s shot hit the post shortly after. However, Atlético quickly countered with Álvaro Morata, Llorente, and Lino setting up Griezmann for a shot that hit the side-netting. Moments later, Llorente’s quick and low pass created a clear opportunity for Morata inside the six-yard box, but Iñaki Peña made the save. Atlético were showing signs of life.
They could have scored the tying goal as well, with Memphis Depay’s incredible free-kick being met by an equally remarkable save from Peña. The ball then bounced off his hand and hit the post and crossbar at an angle. Barcelona had to defend another free kick right after, but this time Griezmann took it and hit the wall. In the final moments, Atlético had a chance to score, but Ángel Correa’s shot from close range was stopped by Peña.
The other ex of the night, Griezmann, was playing against his previous team but was not able to come out victorious. Can anyone have a single impressive game? It may be possible, but this time it was Félix who did.
Source: theguardian.com
