Barcelona Share Points With Atalanta, Secure Place In Round of 16

 

Barcelona claimed a much-needed point from a 2-2 draw against Atalanta, who desperately needed victory to see their way to the top eight of the standings. 

The Italian side was playing against Barcelona for the first time in all competitions, They nearly stole the show despite Barcelona's offensive approach. The draw will mean they will join other teams in the play-offs since they finished outside the top eight teams, who automatically qualified for the round of 16 knockouts. 

Robert Lewandowski's shot was picked up by Lamine Yamal, who reacted quickly to the loose ball and rounded the goalkeeper before steering the ball into the ball. Zappacosta's pass set Ederson for the break-in and slammed the ball into the top corner of the net as Atalanta regained level terms. 

Barcelona once again from Ronald Araujo's header following Raphinha's cross and they soon returned to level terms as Roon's cross from the right flank found Mario Pasalic in the box and tapped the ball through onrushing Szczesny's legs into the net. 

Both sides had a difficult first half before they found the needed goals in the second half. Zappacosta's goal was canceled for an offside position near the end of the first half. Until then, the game was well in Barcelona's control. 

Overview 

Reserved and resolute Atalanta could have made a run with a first-half lead if not for Zappacosta's goal was from offside after the VAR check. The Italians maintained a defensive approach until they suddenly surged in a counter and Barcelona's defense was at their mercy. 

Barcelona were offensive from the get-go, they kept ball possession trying to breach the Italian's defense through the center and through Yamal. Connecting Lewandowski was not possible for much of the first half and Yamal could not make any clear cut into the defense to find a scoring chance. 

Barcelona stepped up their approach to the game to take the lead after halftime, yet the manners by which the Italians reclaimed level terms exposed the flaws in the Spanish side's defense. Zappacosta compensated for his earlier effort by facilitating the opposition's comeback into the game but Pasalic's was delightful.