🇪🇸 Barcelona's suffering could prove priceless in title hunt | OneFootball

Barcelona survived to claim a remarkable victory in Madrid while the champions Real Madrid slipped up. Here’s what went down on a potentially decisive weekend in LaLiga.

Highlights available in UK and Ireland only.

“We suffered. We suffered a lot, especially in the second half.”

Xavi used the word suffer six times in the space of 30 seconds when reflecting on Barcelona’s 1-0 win over Atlético Madrid at the Wanda Metropolitano.

And suffer they did.

Diego Simeone’s side, as they do to so many at the Wanda, didn’t let the Blaugrana breathe on Sunday night.

Marc-André ter Stegen’s goal was peppered as the whole stadium stood and watched as José Giménez’s free header in the 33rd minute glanced the post despite it looking destined for the net. The German then had to be called to tip a fierce Antoine Griezmann effort over the bar. The Frenchman was denied again from six yards out by the divine intervention of Ronald Araújo on the goal-line in one of the last kicks of the game.

This wasn’t a vintage Barcelona victory but it was a win they would cherish just as much as the neat, intricate obliterations over the likes of Athletic Club and Almería in the weeks leading up to the World Cup break.

Wins are hard to come by at the Metropolitano. Sunday was Barça’s first win, and first goal scored, at the stadium since 2019.

Atleti mustered an xG of 1.48 from 20 shots at Barcelona’s goal while the visitors only completed 85% of their passes, their second lowest figure in the league this season.

Xavi had to rely on his defensive backbone as much as anything else in Madrid, a defence that has conceded just six goals so far this campaign, but not every win on route to a title is pretty and all champions need luck along the way.

Real Madrid blinked first in 2023 with their 2-1 defeat to Villarreal, now managed by ex-Barcelona boss Quique Sétien. His former employer have now moved three points clear at the top after proving their mettle in the city of the reigning champions.

Will this prove to be a pivotal weekend in the LaLiga title race?

And elsewhere …

Highlights available in UK and Ireland only

Just like they did in 2022, Real lost their first game of the year as an impressive Villarreal marked their return to Estadio de la Cerámica in style.

Sevilla moved out of the relegation zone with a huge win over Getafe.

David Silva proved he is still capable of doing the business at the grand old age of 37 with his first goal of the season as Real Sociedad solidified third place with a 2-0 victory over Almería.

😱 Goal of the Weekend

Luiz Henrique’s 40th-minute winner for Real Betis came from the quickest of quick feet.

🥇 Player of the Weekend

Dani Parejo well and truly pulled the strings as The Yellow Submarine pulled off a famous victory.