Barça keep up the tradition, come from behind at Atlético and tighten their grip on top of La Liga
Fermín López scores twice to turn the derby around after Giuliano Simeone’s early opener, as Barcelona go three points clear at the top and hand Atlético their first home league defeat of the season.
Barcelona moved clear at the top of La Liga with a valuable 2-1 win at Atlético Madrid in the 12th-round derby. Atlético made a perfect start at the Metropolitano, going ahead through Giuliano Simeone in the 10th minute, but two goals from Fermín López (45', 66') completed the comeback for Barça.
The Blaugrana now have 33 points, ahead of second-placed Real Madrid on 30, while Atlético drop to third with 28. Diego Simeone’s side have now lost six of their last seven home games against Barcelona in all competitions, even though they knocked the Catalans out of both the Champions League and the Copa del Rey last season.
Atlético started strongly. Julián Álvarez was denied one-on-one by Joan García, and Marc Pubill headed against the crossbar from the resulting corner. Pedri also hit the woodwork for Barça, before Atlético scored on the counter: Álvarez found space on the left and set up the onrushing Giuliano Simeone to finish from close range. Joan García and Jan Oblak both made key saves as the game opened up, before Fermín López equalised just before half-time, firing a loose ball into the net with a powerful left-footed strike for his sixth goal of the season.
In the second half, Barcelona took the lead in the 66th minute when Lamine Yamal played a perfect pass to Fermín, who beat Oblak from a tight angle. Atlético threw more players forward but ran out of ideas, and failed to create a single chance in the closing stages. It was their first home defeat of the La Liga season.
Next up, Atlético travel to Getafe, while Barça host Villarreal.
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