Diego Simeone played the long game. He rested Julian Alvarez, Griezmann, Lookman and Koke for Saturday's La Liga meeting at the Metropolitano. On Wednesday at Camp Nou, with a Champions League semi-final place on the line, they all started. The difference was immediate and decisive.
Barcelona controlled the first half and created the better chances. Marcus Rashford, deployed up front in the absence of the injured Raphinha, tested Juan Musso multiple times but could not find a way through. Atletico sat deep, stayed compact, and waited.
Their moment came in the 44th minute. Pau Cubarsi, chasing Giuliano Simeone as he ran clear through on goal, clipped the back of his leg. The referee showed yellow. VAR reviewed and upgraded it to red. Julian Alvarez stepped up and bent a stunning free kick into the top corner from 25 yards. It was his ninth Champions League goal of the season.
Hansi Flick responded at half-time, withdrawing Lewandowski and the booked Pedri for Gavi and Fermin Lopez. Barcelona showed real character in the second half with ten men. But Atletico manage these situations better than anyone in Europe. Alexander Sorloth, on as a substitute, turned home a cross from Matteo Ruggeri with 20 minutes to play to seal it.
Atletico have not won at Camp Nou since 2006. That streak is over. The second leg is at the Metropolitano on Tuesday. Barca need a two-goal margin to advance.
