Atlético also falters against Celta… and leaves the leadership open for Barça!

Atlético de Madrid stumbled at home again this Saturday in LaLiga. Diego Simeone's team drew at the Metropolitano against Celta de Vigo (1-1) and missed the chance to reclaim the top spot after Real Madrid's draw in Pamplona against Osasuna (1-1). Both results leave the table set for FC Barcelona to reclaim the lead if they defeat Rayo on Monday in Montjuïc (21:00 hours).

Currently, Real and Atlético have 51 and 50 points, respectively, while Barça is third with 48. A victory for Hansi Flick's team in the closing of matchday 24 would put the Catalans back in first place with 51 points, as the goal difference and the direct confrontation against Madrid heavily favor the azulgrana team. The Catalans have a +39 goal difference, while the head-to-head in the Clásico stands at 4-0 after the thrashing at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Atlético could only salvage a draw against Celta

For Atlético, the match against Celta started in the worst way due to Pablo Barrios' early red card. The Spanish midfielder received a direct red for a harsh tackle on Pablo Durán, which initially referee Martínez Munuera had punished with a yellow card. VAR called the referee, and after reviewing the action on the monitor, the expulsion of the 'colchonero' player was confirmed.

Simeone brought on Koke for Lino to reshape his midfield, but the hosts had a forgettable first half. To make matters worse, in the second half, Celta took the lead with a stomp inside the area by Le Normand. Iago Aspas took the penalty to score 0-1 in the 68'. However, the 'rojiblancos' reacted in the final stretch, and Sorloth, after a good individual action following a long ball from Giménez, managed in a one-on-one against two opponents to make it 1-1 in the 81'.

With the draw, Aleti has only accumulated 9 of the last 18 points, resulting from 2 victories, 3 draws, and 1 defeat. Real Madrid has also collapsed with just 2 of the last 9 points, after losing to Espanyol (1-0) and drawing against Atlético and Osasuna, both 1-1. All this has allowed Barça to be 'within reach' of the leadership after starting matchday 22 seven points behind Madrid and five behind the 'colchoneros'.

This is the LaLiga standings, before Barça-Rayo: