Not even the absence of Leo Messi from Barça's starting line-up caused Atlético to be more assertive. Diego Simeone had planned the game in his own way, as he had announced the day before, and he made no changes to his plan as the match wore on.
The game could only go Barça's way, as it eventually did following Messi's arrival on the field. Atlético were all defence. The four defenders sought (and failed) to keep a tight rein on the three opposing attackers. Further forward,Tiago watched Ivan Rakitic, Gabi kept close to Andrés Iniesta, Óliver tracked Jordi Alba and Koke shadowed Sergi Roberto, while the two Atlético forwards Antoine Griezmann and Fernando Torres took it in turns to press Sergio Busquets and close off any through passes.
Winning is always a big ask when you play this way, all the more so when Barça pounce so quickly and clinically whenever you slip up and give the ball away. Not even in the best dream scenario, taking the lead, were Atlético capable of controlling the situation. Barça equalised so soon after this that everything went on as before. And then it got worse for Atleti.Messi came on and began to break the defence down at walking pace.
Afforded licence to roam, the Argentine started to find cracks in the defence wherever Atlético had the most men, until he wriggled his way through and decided the game in trademark style.
