It will be heavy, all together: the live notes of Atlético de Madrid - Barça (I)

BarcelonaBarça has La Liga within their grasp. In a very tough match against Atlético de Madrid, the Barcelona players secured three golden points that extend their lead over Real Madrid to seven in the standings with eight matchdays remaining. Here are some immediate thoughts.

It was only a matter of time. At almost 38 years old, and amidst the debate about his future, Lewandowski once again used his instinct to decide a match – and half of La Liga – at the Metropolitano. A slight shoulder nudge was enough for him to send a crucial ball into Musso's net, who once again put in a great performance against the Blaugrana, and to secure his third La Liga title in four seasons with Barcelona. The Pole will be remembered as the most important signing of Laporta's second term. Now, it remains to be seen if he will begin a third. What we do know is that Barça has another title within their grasp. Although there are still 24 points to play for and a Clasico at the beginning of May, Madrid's current level should reassure the most pessimistic. There will be no contest.

A gift from Cholo. If Flick made some rotations thinking about the Champions League, Simeone directly rested half the team. Players like Lookman, Hancko, Julián Álvarez, Ruggeri, and Sorloth, who are almost always starters, began the match on the bench. Ruggeri's rotation at left-back was particularly sensitive. In his place, Nico González, a converted winger, played, and this became a gift for Lamine Yamal, who in just 45 minutes drove him to distraction to the point of sending him to the showers early with a direct red card. Cholo's lenient decision rolled out the red carpet for the best player in La Liga to go on and decide it.

They are (and will be) exhausting. In the second half, Atlético de Madrid suffered from numerical inferiority and ended up succumbing. The Colchoneros also complained bitterly about the straight red card for Gerard Martín, which VAR turned into a yellow. Beyond this specific controversy (the truth is that the Catalan defender's tackle was a bit excessive), this first round at the Metropolitano confirms that the series of three duels will be very tough. Without Raphinha's intensity and with forces at their limit at this point in the season, there will be no physical respite. But psychologically, the fight will also be very grueling. There will be kicks, brawls, provocations, and time-wasting galore.

Seize the opportunities.

With Balde recovered for the final stretch of the season, it can now be assured that Cancelo has not only lived up to expectations as a substitute at left-back, but has also opened up a debate. The Portuguese has many chances to remain a starter in the most poorly covered position in the blaugrana starting eleven. Judging by his performance, Rashford also did enough to stay in the team next Wednesday when Atlético de Madrid visits Camp Nou. At the Metropolitano, the Englishman contributed a goal and danger on the wing (not in the center of the attack), although he is light-years away from Raphinha in intangibles without the ball at his feet. Who knows if it will pay off and convince Deco and Laporta to pay the 30 million they are asking for him.