Barcelona 0-0 Atlético Madrid: result, summary - 2020/21 LaLiga

LaLiga title race heats up

Jan Oblak: "We showed that we wanted to win today. It's another point with three games to go. We've to keep fighting. We want to win all three games and then we'll see where we lie. We started better, they finished the game better. We both had our chances to win. We'll keep going with our heads held high. Whoever ends strongest will be league champions." (Movistar)

Piqué post-match: "We're still alive. We had more chances than them. We know the situation that we're in. We look to Tuesday now, and we've to win that one. We created enough chances today to have scored. Atleti dominated at times too. In the first half in particular they had some opportunities. Everything can happen with three games to go. It's still totally open." (Movistar)

Atlético played well today, very organised, had their chances and deserve the point. Barcelona improved in the second half but couldn't find a winner. 

If Real Madrid win all four games, they will be crowned champions of LaLiga 2020/21.

FT: Barcelona 0-0 Atlético Madrid

There will be two minutes of added time. That Messi free-kick was so, so close. 

His 25-yard free-kick just fleis past the top corner. 

MESSIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!

Dembélé crosses to the back post, there's just too much on it for Griezmann. Barca are pushing for the winner but it remains 0-0.

Big, big chance for Barcelona. They don't deserve to win this. That was their chance.

DEMBÉLÉ!

Excellent play from Barca, Alba picks out Dembélé at the back post. He hangs in the air before heading over Oblak's bar. 

Suárez looks to play in Carrasco, but somehow gets mixed up and kicks the ball into touch. 0-0

Piqué gets booked for pulling down João Félix. He didn't fancy the chase!

Atleti are defending resolutely, two banks of five and four. Barca haven't moved out of third gear all game. There is, however, still time for both sides to get a late winner. 

Atlético clear another Messi free. Both teams are beginning to tire now. 

Carrasco fouls substitute Dembélé. Messi is over yet another free, can he make the most of this one?

Griezmann tries to find Messi at the back post. Atleti defend well. Still 0-0

Referee Mateu Lahoz has a word with Simeone for his protests. Simeone smiles back!

Barcelona change

ON Sergi Roberto & Ousmane Dembélé

OFF Dest & Pedri

A more defensive change from Simeone this time. With Kondogbia in, Marcos Llorente will be given extra freedom to float. 

Atlético change

ON Kondogbia

OFF Correa

Araújo heads home from a Messi cross but he's offside. Atleti supporters around the world can breathe again..

Simeone is making a brave change putting João Félix in for Saúl. It remains 0-0 but Atleti want this!

Saúl, who came in for Lemar in the first half is taken off. He's on a yellow, so I assume that's why. 

OFF Saúl

ON João Félix

OBLAK SAVES!

He has it covered all the way. Messi's free-kick is curled to the far post. Oblak was set up to save that one. It's the perfect height for the keeper.

Koke picks up a yellow for pulling Messi down right on the edge of the box. Pretty clear for referee Mateu Lahoz that one. 

João Félix is about to come in for Atleti.

PIQUÉ!!

Messi finds Piqué at the back post, he rises highest to direct his header on target. Oblak saves well. 0-0

Ilaix Moriba has a great chance in the 6-yard box, but Hermoso gets a foot in just in time. The resulting corner to Barca comes to nothing. 

Reports coming in are saying that Busquets has been taken to hospital for tests after his clash of heads with Savic. We hope he'll be ok. 

SUÁREZ SHOOTS

He's offside! Carrasco goes on a fine run through three Barca players, before finding Correa. Correa picks out Suárez at the back post. The former Barca man drives it at Ter Stegen first time. The linesman calls for offside. 

Koke has been superb so far. One of his finer games in a while, just when his team needs him. This Atletico midfield have much more experience than Barca's current midfield trio of De Jong (23), Pedri (18) & Ilaix (18).

A reminder of the top of the LaLiga table and how it looks as things stand..

Messi takes the corner. Oblak flies out and punches away. 

SUÁREZ SHOOTS

The Uruguayan blasts a 20-yard volley wide of Ter Stegen's left-hand side. 

LENGLET!!

Messi whips in a right wing cross, it's just too high for Lenglet, who connects, but can't direct it towards goal.

Atlético get us underway for the second half. 

Barcelona change

OFF Mingueza

ON Araújo

HT: Barcelona 0-0 Atlético Madrid

Atlético have been superior in the opening 45. Still a long way to go in this one. 

There will be four minutes of added time. 

FELIPE CHANCE!

Simeone holds his head in his hands. Felipe buries it over the bar from 8 yards. Should really hit the target. 

That was Messi's first real threat in the first half. Oblak had to be at his best for the 20-yard strike. When he collects the ball in those positions, it's generally panic stations for LaLiga defences. 

Messi comes alive, takes on five and brings out a fantastic save from Oblak. Super run, great save. Atlético clear the resulting corner. 

MESSIIIIIIII!!!!!

Everything is going through Koke in midfield. He's sitting deepest in the Atleti engine room, picking up loose balls and directing the play. 

Atlético are also defending really well. Messi has been quiet. We've seen a couple of glimpses of Griezmann. 

ATLETI CHANCE!

Stegen slaps the ball over Suárez head as he dives at the rebound from Carrasco's left wing cross. Atlético are really taking the game to Barca now. 0-0

TER STEGEN STOPS SUÁREZ

Suárez makes his way into the Barca box, darts to the near post, where he meets Ter Stegen, who has his goal covered. Suárez can only place his effort at Stegen, very tight angle. 

Barcelona are looking uncomfortable when Atleti press high. 

Barcelona change

OFF Busquets

ON Ilaix Moriba

Ilaix Moriba is warming up for Barca. Koeman is on the phone. It looks like Busquets won't be risked. He's back on the pitch but the club doctor recommends he comes off. 

Busquets comes back on after the clash of heads with Savic. 

Busquets is receiving treatment on the sideline, while Griezmann is testing his old team-mate Jan Oblak. Decent strike that ends up straight at Oblak. 

The best chance of the game so far was Correa's blocked effort for Atlético. Apart from that it has been pretty even. 

It's a clash of heads between Savic and Busquets. Busquets comes out worst. Savic is fine. 

Luis Suárez has 166 career goals in LaLiga and has scored against all 30 of the teams he has faced in Spain's top flight.

It has been a pretty cagey affair in the opening 25 minutes at Camp Nou. There's a lot at stake today and it may require a moment of magic from Messi or Suárez. 

Messi and Griezmann play a one-two on the edge of the Atleti box, Carrasco is having none of it and Atleti clear. 0-0

Since January 1, Messi has scored 21 goals in 18 games, more than anyone else in Europe's top five leagues. Excluding one penalty scored, he has plundered 20 from an xG of just 11, giving him the biggest positive differential for anyone in those top five leagues in 2021. 

CHANCE ATLÉTICO!

Superb play by Atleti. Hermoso picks out Correa in the 6-yard box. Lenglet manages to get a block on the Argentine's shot. Carrasco's resulting corner is caught by Ter Stegen. The move started with Koke switching a fine cross-field pass to the left wing. 

Today is Stefan Savic's 200th game for Atleti.

Hermoso takes out Dest. He's very late with that one. Barcelona have a free-kick out near the corner flag. 

Lemar has picked up an early knock. The French midfielder looks like a new player this season for Atleti. Saúl now comes into the engine room in his place.

There's going to be an early change for Atlético.

OFF Lemar

ON Saúl

Today's game is also the meeting of the best defence and attack in the division. Barça have scored 80 league goals, at least 19 more than anyone else, but Atleti have conceded a miserly 22.

Suárez sends his free-kick straight into Ter Stegen's hands. He did well to get it up and over the wall. Two shots on goal for Atleti so far but Suárez will be disappointed with that one. He'll be dying to score today!

Free-kick to Atlético in a dangerous position. 

Ronald Koeman is serving his two-match touchline ban for comments made to the fourth official in his side's defeat to Granada.

Koke fouls Messi near the centre circle and it's a free to the home side.

History is also on Atleti's side in this fixture: the 1-0 win at the Wanda Metropolitano in the reverse game, when Yannick Carrasco grabbed a first half winner

Mingueza and Dest both start this afternoon for Barcelona. Luis Suárez returns to his former home and Griezmann faces his former side. 

LEMAR SHOOTS!

On his weaker right foot, Lemar cuts in from the left wing and tests Ter Stegen early on. Good strike. 

Atleti have won only half of their past 16 league games. Barça have been one of Europe's most in-form sides in 2021, winning all but three of their 19 league matches since the turn of the year - and lifting the Copa del Rey. 

Barcelona are playing from left to right. 

Barcelona get us underway!

The players are out on the pitch at Camp Nou and we're all ready to go.

Atletico Madrid's players and staff pose as they celebrate their Spanish league title at the end of the match between Barcelona and Atlético at Camp Nou on May 17, 2014. Atlético claimed their 10th Spanish league crown but first in 18 years after coming from behind to draw 1-1 away at title rivals Barcelona.

Photo: AFP

Atlético 2014

The last time these two teams met this late in the season with the title still on the line for both was on that famous final day in 2013-14, when Atleti went to Camp Nou knowing they would win the league if they did not lose the match. Alexis Sánchez broke the deadlock, Diego Godín equalised, and Atleti were crowned kings of Spain for the first time in 18 years.

Nothing will be decided this season on Saturday, of course, and as any LaLiga coach will tell the media at any given opportunity, "every game is a final". But this one feels a bit different. With Madrid and fourth-place Sevilla meeting this weekend, too, Barca and Atleti must sense this is a massive chance to get a hand on the trophy.

Kick-off at Camp Nou is just 10 minutes away. Stay tuned for live updates!

LaLiga Title Race

We have the best LaLiga title race in years on our hands. LaLiga's top four all face each other this weekend: Barcelona (3rd, 74 points) vs Atlético Madrid (1st, 76 points) & Real Madrid (2nd, 74 points) vs Sevilla (4th, 70 points).

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Atlético beat Barca 1-0 in the first game between the sides this season, thanks to a Carrasco goal at the Wanda Metropolitano.

Atlético XI

Barcelona XI

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According to L'Equipe on the front page of its Saturday edition, the Brazilian striker has extended his deal for another five years with the Parisian outfit.

Barcelona vs Atlético Madrid: head to head

Since 99/00

Barcelona - 21 wins

Atlético - 8 wins

10 draws

ViaSofaScore

Football

Real Madrid, Barça and Juventus issue joint statement denouncing 'threats'

After UEFA confirmed its plan to prepare disciplinary action against Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus, the three teams that remain involved in the breakaway European Super League responded in a joint communique issued via the website of the three clubs simultaneously on Saturday morning.

On Friday, European football's governing body stated that the nine clubs who backed out of the plan had signed a ‘Club Commitment Declaration’ including a series of "reintegration" steps.

The six English clubs - Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal - along with AC Milan, Inter Milan and Atlético Madrid, all signed the agreement, UEFA said in a statement.

"These clubs recognised their mistakes quickly and have taken action to demonstrate their contrition and future commitment to European football," said UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin.

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LALIGA

When was Barcelona's last defeat to Atlético Madrid at Camp Nou?

Atleti go into today's game at Camp Nou in pole position as the Catalan side sit two points behind Atlético, who have 76 points. Atleti control their own destiny and winning all four remaining LaLiga games would see Simeone's men crowned champions. However a a victory for Barcelona would see them leapfrog their opponents with just three games left to play.

Title rivals Real Madrid, who are level on points with Barça and host fourth-placed Sevilla on Sunday, could be the main beneficiaries if the game ends in a draw due to their superior head-to-head record against Atleti and Barcelona.

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Atlético Madrid starting XI vs Barcelona

LALIGA

Barcelona vs Atlético Madrid: times, TV & how to watch online

Saturday sees leaders Atlético Madrid visit third-placed Barcelona with four games to go in what is proving an increasingly enthralling LaLiga title race, in a crunch clash that viewers in the US can watch on Fanatiz.

Atlético, who have led LaLiga for much of the season, had seemed poised to relinquish top spot to Barça on 29 April, only for the Blaugrana to surprisingly lose their postponed matchday-33 clash at home to Granada and hand the initiative back to Diego Simeone’s men.

And after wins for Atlético, Barça and Real Madrid last weekend, Los Rojiblancos go to the Camp Nou still two points clear and with the knowledge that a first championship since 2014 will be theirs if they win all of their final games, with fixtures against Real Sociedad, Osasuna and Real Valladolid to follow Saturday’s match-up.

All the information you need on how to watch Barça host Atlético in a crucial top-of-the-table clash on LaLiga matchday 35 on Saturday.

Barcelona vs Atlético Madrid live: welcome

Hello and welcome to AS English's live coverage of this top of the table LaLiga clash as Barcelona host Atlético Madrid at Camp Nou. Kick-off is at 16:15 CEST.