Barcelona extended its lead at the top of La Liga to nine points on Sunday, as goals from Adriano, Sergio Busquets and two from Lionel Messi ensured tbe club reversed Radamel Falcao's opener to seal a 4-1 victory over Atletico Madrid at Camp Nou.
It was first place versus second. Messi versus Falcao. But Barcelona glided to victory through depressing air of predictability. On Saturday, Tito Vilanova said that in any other league, Atletico would be top. But this isn’t any other league. And as the gap at te top grows, that between Atleti and their Madrid rivals continues to diminish.
As ever, Diego Simeone’s side was rigid and compact, intent on absorbing pressure and hitting their hosts on the counter. And Falcao very nearly gave them a shock lead inside the first 10 minutes, but saw his wonderfully flicked header bounce back off the inside of Victo Valdes’ post. Hearts were in Barca mouths again when Colombian raced clear of Carles Puyol after 23 minutes overstretching to drag his shot wide.
