Neymar header helps Barca hold Atletico
24 Aug 2013 5:17 AM IST
Neymar scored his first goal for Barcelona as the Catalans were held 1-1 by Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup, but there was another injury worry for Lionel Messi as he was forced off at half-time.
David Villa had given the hosts the perfect start when he netted against his old side in spectacular fashion after just 12 minutes.
Barca then struggled to find their rhythm against a dogged Atleti side and were dealt a huge blow when Messi failed to reappear for the second-half reportedly due to a muscle injury.
However, in his absence, Neymar was the man to rescue the Spanish champions as he came off the bench to head home Dani Alves’ cross 25 minutes from time.
Having thrashed Levante 7-0 in manager Gerardo Martino’s first competitive match in charge on Sunday, Barca started confidently and had the first clear opening of the game when Pedro’s scuffed effort was palmed away by Thibaut Courtois on 11 minutes.
Within 60 seconds though Atleti were ahead thanks to a fantastic piece of counter-attacking play as Villa fed Arda Turan on the left then burst into the box to meet the Turk’s cross flush on the volley to power the ball past Victor Valdes. Moments later the Spanish international nearly punished his former teammates again as he and Diego Costa combined perfectly but this time Gerard Pique recovered just in time to block Villa’s effort.
The game then settled down with Barca patiently probing without ever opening up a well-organised Atleti side before the break.
Worse was to come for the Catalans though as Messi didn’t reappear after the interval and was replaced by Cesc Fabregas.
David Villa had given the hosts the perfect start when he netted against his old side in spectacular fashion after just 12 minutes.
Barca then struggled to find their rhythm against a dogged Atleti side and were dealt a huge blow when Messi failed to reappear for the second-half reportedly due to a muscle injury.
However, in his absence, Neymar was the man to rescue the Spanish champions as he came off the bench to head home Dani Alves’ cross 25 minutes from time.
Having thrashed Levante 7-0 in manager Gerardo Martino’s first competitive match in charge on Sunday, Barca started confidently and had the first clear opening of the game when Pedro’s scuffed effort was palmed away by Thibaut Courtois on 11 minutes.
Within 60 seconds though Atleti were ahead thanks to a fantastic piece of counter-attacking play as Villa fed Arda Turan on the left then burst into the box to meet the Turk’s cross flush on the volley to power the ball past Victor Valdes. Moments later the Spanish international nearly punished his former teammates again as he and Diego Costa combined perfectly but this time Gerard Pique recovered just in time to block Villa’s effort.
The game then settled down with Barca patiently probing without ever opening up a well-organised Atleti side before the break.
Worse was to come for the Catalans though as Messi didn’t reappear after the interval and was replaced by Cesc Fabregas.
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