The Montjuïc Curse: How Barcelona Handed Victory to Atlético

The first 40 minutes at Montjuïc felt like a solo masterclass by Marcus Rashford. The Englishman was everywhere: firing long-range rockets, breaking through one-on-one, and even finding the back of the net—only for the goal to be ruled out due to a marginal offside by Lamine Yamal. Atlético goalkeeper Juan Musso was forced into a series of heroic saves to keep the Madrid side afloat.

However, a total collapse occurred in the 44th minute. Pau Cubarsí failed to track Giuliano Simeone’s run and committed a "last man" foul. Following a VAR intervention, referee István Kovács brandished a straight red card. The punishment was twofold: from the resulting free kick, Julián Álvarez curled a clinical strike into the top corner—0:1.

In the second half, Hansi Flick took a radical gamble, substituting both Pedri and Robert Lewandowski. Despite Gavi’s relentless energy and Rashford hitting the crossbar, a ten-man Barça couldn't hold the line. In the 70th minute, Alexander Sørloth tapped in a cross from Ruggeri to seal the 0:2 victory. The "Colchoneros" leave Catalonia with a commanding lead.

Amul Info Analyst Opinion

This match is a textbook example of how one player's disciplinary lapse can dismantle an entire tactical system. Barcelona looked superior to Atlético in 11-on-11 play, but Flick’s second-half substitutions raise eyebrows. Removing Lewandowski when a goal was desperately needed signals either a premature surrender or an over-reliance on "light" mobile attackers.

Diego Simeone proved once again that in the Champions League, he is the master of "suffering" and absorbing pressure. Without Cubarsí for the second leg, the Catalan defense will be even more vulnerable. Barça’s chances of advancing now sit at a slim 15-20%.