5 things we learnt when Barca thrashed Atlético

The Catalans looked determined while Los Rojiblancos jaded in the 3-0 result.

POLE POSITION

After struggling through large swathes of this campaign, Robert Lewandowski has come alive of late. On Sunday, he had a hand in all three goals as the Blaugrana saw off Diego Simeone’s side. The Polish striker scored one, and assisted two. “The last few weeks we have changed our training a bit, with more intensity. We want to take a step forward,” the striker said after the win

TITLE HOPES ALIVE?

After the win, eight points separate La Liga leaders Real Madrid (72 pts) and secondplaced Barcelona (64 pts) after 29 matches apiece with nine to play.Real, though, have an 18-point goal difference advantage – 44 to 26. Real look set for a 36th ti- tle and only a miracle could hand the Catalans their 28th. Both teams meet on April 21 at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium for a cracker of an El Clasico.

HOME ALONE

‘I’m not the bad guy!’ - Joao Felix said while reacting to Atletico Madrid fans burning an effigy of him after starring for Barcelona against his parent club when he scored a goal in the 2nd half. The Portuguese attacker received a hostile welcome as he returned to Wanda Metropolitano. A section of the Atletico fans were so furious at their former player that they set fire to his Atletico shirt and spat on the player’s plaque at the stadium

XAVI’S PLAYING CARDS

Xavi was handed his marching orders after raging at the match official. The Barcelona boss was booked for protesting after seeing Lewandowski go to ground under a challenge from Axel Witsel. Xavi then continued his protests after an apparent foul on Ilkay Gundogan and was shown a red card. In his final season as Catalan boss, Xavi has already served two touchline bans

ATLETIKO

It was Atletico’s first league loss at the Metropolitano since January 2023 — also 1-0 against Barcelona. It was also Atletico’s worst loss at home in any competition. Atletico eliminated Inter Milan in the Rd of 16 of the Champions League on Wednesday, but have lost six of their last 10 matches across all competitions, with only three wins in that streak. At fifth, they have dropped out of the CL places