La liga: Barcelona 3 vs 1 Atletico Madrid highlights – a gritty win for Barcelona

Flick's Barcelona team news confirms starts for Gerard Martín and Alejandro Balde. This means Martín is playing as the Left Centre-Back, partnering Cubarsí as the Right Centre-Back. The major boost for Barça is Pedri's return to the starting eleven. However, Frenkie de Jong is sick, which means Eric could partner Pedri in midfield. The attacking trio is confirmed as Raphinha, Lamine, and Lewandowski with Olmo operting as a 10. Notably, Rashford is on the bench.

It looks like Diego Simeone has opted for a four-man defence, likely set up in a 4-3-3 formation. The key to this setup will be the wide attackers: Giuliano Simeone on the right wing is expected to drop deep and defend like a wingback, which will be crucial in shutting down Raphinha. On the opposite flank, Nico González is tasked with the same defensive duty to support the full-back and contain Lamine. The midfield three of Johny, Baena, and Barrios are in place and will be vital in not giving Barca control in that area of the pitch. Stopping Pedri is going to be a task but he is just back from an injury

The players are on the pitch, the atmosphere is electric! We are excited. WHISTLE BLOWS for kick off.

Just five minutes in and we've already seen an exchange of tactical intent. Lamine attempted an ambitious trivela pass to pick out Raphinha but Jan Oblak read it, who immediately tried to play out. At the other end, Atlético are trying to breach Flick’s high defensive line, but their first pass from the right flank lacked quality. The intentions are clear early on.

There are immediate concerns for Atlético Madrid's midfield, as Johnny Cardoso—only just back from an injury is already sitting down on the pitch. It’s a worrying sign, though the player is currently trying to continue.

The first shot of the game comes from the home side! A slick combination play between Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha ended with the Brazilian forward blasting the ball wide from the left edge of the box, with Giménez doing well to apply pressure and block the angle.

It looks like Atlético have settled into a flat 4-4-2 formation with a four-man midfield. The most interesting tactical observation is that Baena is playing as a supporting striker, partnering Álvarez up front, rather than in a deeper midfield role.

Johnny Cardoso just can't continue and is forced off the pitch. Veteran Koke is coming on to replace him, meaning a major change to Simeone’s midfield plan just moments into the game. The injury seems to have been aggravated in the moment before the change, when Dani Olmo went past him in a previous move and cut the ball back for Raphinha, which was blocked by the Atleti defence in the box.

Hancko's strong driving run on that wing was excellently shut down by a firm tackle from Jules Koundé. The resulting free-kick, taken by Baena, failed to create any danger, and the possession quickly swung back in Barça’s favour after Pedri was fouled just in front of the Barça box, winning the free-kick for the home side.

VAR check ongoing

A simple long ball over the top from Molina, Baena timed his run and scored brilliantly. And that's it. The linesman initially raised the flag but Baena was not offside there. If you don't press well, the high line is suicidal.

What a pass that was from Pedri there. The through ball found from Raphinha on the right side of the box, who rounded the keeper to make it 1-1. What a game

Cubarsi tried to head it back to the keeper and got it all wrong there. Joan Garcia however rescued the situation. We don't think there is a handball there.

Great skill there from Olmo and the referee is convinced that Barrios has brought Olmo down in the box

Robert Lewandowski blasted the penalty into the seventh tier of Camp Nou there. What a horrible penalty that was. Barrios will be a relieved man.

Great cross from Lamine Yamal, fantastic movement from Lewa, who headed it down into the ground but Oblak was there to deny the Polish legend from close range. Great football all around. What a save

Robert Lewandowski has missed 2 out of 3 penalties this season! Do they need to look for a different penalty taker?

Raphinha's mentality is different. He is angry at his team mates as they are not pressing cohesively

Ball over the top of that high line from Molina. Guliano Simeone's run was excellent, which was started from his own area. Gerard Martin made a challenge from behind. Atleti players want a red card as they think he was the last man but referee thinks otherwise. Also when you watch the replay, there is a slight touch on the ball from Martin before he took the man. Lucky boy,

It has been an entertaining half of football at the Camp Nou.

This has been an incredibly eventful first half at the Camp Nou! Atleti struck first, setting a record by scoring first in their 15th successive La Liga game, but Barcelona showed great character to come back level, thereby forcing Atleti to surrender that lead. However, the home side will be kicking themselves—they could have even taken the lead from the penalty spot, only for Robert Lewandowski to blast the resulting spot kick over the bar! A huge missed opportunity for Flick’s side.

On the personnel front, Atleti were forced into an early change when the injured Cardoso was replaced by veteran Koke. For Barcelona, young defender Gerard Martín picked up a booking, meaning he is now walking a defensive tightrope for the second half—which could be tricky for Barça. Jan Oblak was also forced to make a beautiful save to keep his side level. Most importantly, Barcelona fans will be delighted to see Raphinha and Pedri combining well again, as their play clearly demonstrates how pivotal they both are to Hansi Flick's system. One is a magician and the other is a tireless worker, who knows what it means to play for Barca. Barca dominated that first half since Atleti's goal but the game is still level.

Erling Haaland became the fastest player to reach 100 Premier League goals, achieving the feat in just 111 appearances, breaking the previous record held by Alan Shearer (124 appearances) (source: Optajoe)

Fulham were trailing 1-4 against Manchester City and now the score is 4-5. Can Fulham find the equaliser?

Nico Gonzalez has been taken off at half time and former Chelsea player Conor Gallagher is on for him

He looks sluggish and even finding it difficult to pick simple passes. Ferran Torres is actually warming up along with many other Barca players

Long ball from defence and Alvarez made a fantastic run towards the right side of the box. His touch took him to a tighter angle but he improvised his attempt but Garcia read it well and caught it easily.

Lamine Yamal showcased his brilliant technique with a mazy run down the right wing, successfully cutting inside before slipping a pass to Raphinha on the left side of the box, whose subsequent shot, unfortunately, was dragged wide of the goal.

Eric Garcia won the ball deep in Barca's area (looks illegally), Barca moved the ball up the pitch quickly. It ended up with Raphinha in the left side of the box, who tried to pick Lewa with the cross but the polish striker's sliding effort wasn't enough to get a contact on the ball. It's not happening for Lewa tonight

And Sorloth is ON. Barca fans might not like that as the big Norwegian has a history of scoring goals agianst Barcelona

Pedri is involved in the build up to that goal but it was Olmo's tenacity made that goal.

Olmo's shoulder is injured as he fell after scoring that goal. Rashford is in for him. Also, Flick has taken Lewandowski out for Ferran Torres

Sorloth tried a give and go with his team mater but Martin was there to prevent the danger man from hitting it with his left foot when the return ball came towards him in the box. A great tackle

He is just came back from an injury. Flick has taken him and Raphinha out of action. Teenager Dro Fernandez and Casado is on for the Catalans

Former Barcleona man Griezmann is on for Koke. An attacking change from Simeone

Barca's high line breached again. Almada made a wonderful run, cuts inside and puts it wide. What a chance that was

Joan Garcia caught the ball easily when Griezmann's corner came into the box. The keeper is showing real authority there.

Hansi Flick is trying to see this game out now.

Can Atleti find the equaliser?

Good slick move on the left side of Barca's box, Almada's cut back found Griezmann but his first time attempt went wide and it didn't even go out for a goal kick

Balde from the left wing picked Ferran in the box. He took a touch and finished it off. Barca were trying to run down the clock but when they get an opportunity, they will pounce. They did that.

Atleti's 13 games unbeaten run has come to an end. This is such an important win for Flick's men. They had to dig deep but they found a way to win it. Hansi Flick's game management was excellent as he even took off Lamine Yamal for a defender to see out the game. Atleti had couple of good chances to get something from this game but they failed to convert their chances. Barcelona are on 37 points now and they have put pressure on Real Madrid who are going to face Club Athletic in San Mames tomorrow