Barcelona 1–1 Atlético Madrid (May 2014)

The Barcelona vs Atlético Madrid football match that took place on 17 May 2014 at the Nou Camp in Barcelona, Spain, was played during the 38th and therefore last round of the 2013–14 La Liga season. Atlético and Barcelona came into the match occupying the top two positions in the league, separated by just three points, and thus both teams could still claim the title.

It was the first time since 1951 and just the third time in league history the La Liga title came down to a head-to-head match on the final weekend of play.^[1] Atlético Madrid earned the point that won them their first league title in 18 years, and their tenth overall.

Background

In the 36th round of La Liga, Atlético lost 0–2 to Levante at Estadi Ciutat de València while Barcelona and Real Madrid only earned one point in their home games against Getafe and Valencia respectively. With two weeks to play, Atlético led the table with a 3-point advantage over Barcelona and one point more over Real Madrid.

After these results, Atlético could have won the league in the 37th and penultimate round if they earned one more point than Barcelona and Real. In this round, Atlético had a home tie against Málaga while Barcelona visited relegation-threatened Elche and Real Madrid played at Balaídos against Celta Vigo.

Despite both Barcelona and Real Madrid failing to win their respective games (Barcelona ended 0–0^[2] and Real lost their options to win the league by losing 0–2^[3]), Atlético could not win the title at home as they only could earn one point after a 1–1 draw.^[4]

These results meant that the title would be decided in a head-to-head game at Camp Nou between Barcelona and Atlético, with Atlético having the advantage with a 3-point lead.^[1] The reverse fixture ended 0–0 meaning Atlético needed to avoid defeat to clinch the title, otherwise Barcelona would successfully defend their La Liga crown due to having the better head-to-head record out of the two sides.^[5]

Source: BDFutbol
Rules for classification: ^[6] 1st points; 2nd head-to-head points;
(C) = Champion; (R) = Relegated; (P) = Promoted; (E) = Eliminated; (O) = Play-off winner; (A) = Advances to a further round.

Match

Atlético Madrid forwards Diego Costa and Arda Turan became injured within the first 30 minutes, and were substituted off. Five minutes before half time, Barcelona took the lead into the break thanks to a goal by Alexis Sánchez after receiving a chest-pass from Lionel Messi.

In the 4th minute of the second half however, a header from Diego Godín off a corner kick made the score 1–1. Eight minutes after the goal, Barcelona's Sergio Busquets could not continue playing.

In the 63rd minute Messi scored, but Barcelona were denied the lead they needed as the goal was ruled out for offside. Eventually the game ended as a 1–1 draw, which handed the Colchoneros their first league title in 18 years, and their 10th overall. ^[7]

Match details

17 May 2014 (2014-05-17)18:00 CEST

Barcelona	1–1	Atlético Madrid
Alexis  33'	Report	Godín  49'

Nou Camp, Barcelona

Attendance: 96,379

Referee: Mateu Lahoz

Barcelona

Atlético Madrid

GK 13 José Manuel Pinto DF 22 Dani Alves DF 3 Gerard Piqué  5' DF 21 Adriano DF 14 Javier Mascherano  90' MF 4 Cesc Fàbregas  77' MF 16 Sergio Busquets  45+3'  57' MF 8 Andrés Iniesta FW 10 Lionel Messi  45+3' FW 9 Alexis Sánchez FW 7 Pedro Rodríguez  62' Substitutes: GK 25 Oier Olazábal MF 6 Xavi  77' FW 11 Neymar  62' DF 15 Marc Bartra MF 17 Alex Song  73'  57' DF 18 Jordi Alba FW 20 Cristian Tello Manager: Gerardo Martino

GK 13 Thibaut Courtois DF 20 Juanfran DF 3 Filipe Luís  69' DF 2 Diego Godín  36' DF 23 Miranda MF 10 Arda Turan  23' MF 5 Tiago  37' MF 6 Koke MF 14 Gabi FW 19 Diego Costa  16' FW 9 David Villa Substitutes: GK 1 Daniel Aranzubia MF 4 Mario Suárez FW 7 Adrián  16'  72' FW 8 Raúl García  90+2'  23' DF 12 Toby Alderweireld MF 14 Diego Ribas MF 24 José Sosa  72' Manager: Diego Simeone

Aftermath

Atlético Madrid celebrated its 10th league title.

Source: BDFutbol
Rules for classification: ^[6]
(C) = Champion; (R) = Relegated; (P) = Promoted; (E) = Eliminated; (O) = Play-off winner; (A) = Advances to a further round.

It was the first time since the 2003–04 La Liga that a club other than Barcelona or Real Madrid won the title. It was also the first time in the 67-year history of the Camp Nou stadium that a visiting team had clinched the title in the stadium.

The draw meant that Barcelona would finish second, regardless of Real Madrid's result against Barcelona's city rivals Espanyol, as Barça would at worst have the better head-to-head record over their Clásico rivals (winning 2–1 at home and 4–3 away). Nonetheless, Real Madrid won 3–1, meaning second place was instead decided on the head-to-head tiebreaker.^[8]

Just after the game, Gerardo Martino resigned as Barcelona's manager. The club only won the Spanish Supercup, was eliminated by Atlético Madrid in the quarterfinals of the Champions League and lost 1–2 against Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey Final. Two days later, Diego Godín was named Player of the Month for May.^[9]

After celebrating the league title in Madrid, Atlético played just seven days later the Champions League Final against their local-rivals Real Madrid. Despite a header of Diego Godín in the first half of the game, a header of Sergio Ramos allowed Real Madrid to tie the game in the 93rd minute.^[10] In the extra time, Atlético was visibly exhausted and finally was defeated by 1–4.^[11]

References

External links

• Highlights and report