On Sunday, Barcelona clashed in a crucial La Liga fixture that carried high stakes in terms of securing the top spot in the league. The match was a high-octane affair, with Barca trying to play the Flick way and Atletico Madrid playing Simeone’s defensive game that seems impossible every time. Barcelona entered the game aiming to solidify their position at the top of the table, while Atletico Madrid sought to close the gap and jump both their rivals.
Pedri was outstanding for Barcelona, but unfortunately for the Blaugrana, Atleti left for Madrid with all three points thanks to an Alexander Sorloth goal in the 96th minute. Barca and Lewandowski were made to rue their missed chances that could have put them 2-0 up early doors.
The result, however, was not the only talking point from the game; it was the pre-match camaraderie between players from both teams that enraged fans, who believed it undermined the competitive spirit of the game. Entering the stadium, players were seen engaging in conversation and exchanging smiles, sparking debate amongst fans.
Divided Perspectives
Fan reactions to the pre-match bonding were polarized. Many expressed outrage, questioning whether the sport had become “soft” in recent years, using the Sean Dyche “Utter woke nonsense” meme.
One fan lamented, “Game’s completely gone,” reflecting frustration at the perceived lack of rivalry. Another echoed this sentiment, tweeting, “Too Soft And Woke Now.” A third fan drew comparisons with football’s grittier past, stating, “Imagine Robbie Keane walking down with Schmeichel.”
There was also a sense of disdain for what some saw as unnecessary friendliness, with one comment sarcastically noting, “Wow, might as well do a jersey swap before kickoff.”
On the other hand, there was a small section of fans who defended the players’ interactions, offering more pragmatic perspectives.
“So Araujo can’t talk to his friend? And Ansu can’t talk to Griezmann, who used to play with him?” one user questioned. Another emphasized the professional nature of the game: “Some of these players played for both clubs. What do you want them to do? To be immortal and start killing themselves? After all, the game itself is about business; allow it, mate.” These reactions followed after the clip showed Ansu and Griezmann entering together in conversation, while Uruguayan teammates Araujo and Gimenez were also seen chatting.
This brings us to the topic: do Barcelona and Atletico Madrid even have a rivalry?
Do Barcelona and Atletico Have a Rivalry?
Historically, Spanish football’s most storied rivalries have been dominated by El Clasico (Real Madrid vs. Barcelona) and the Madrid Derby (Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid). While Barcelona and Atletico have faced off in many high-stakes encounters, their rivalry lacks the cultural and historical depth seen in the other two.
However, in recent years, Atletico has emerged as a genuine contender in the title race, challenging the dominance of Real Madrid and Barcelona. The competitive edge between the two clubs has been fueled by more closely fought and dramatic games, such as the return of Suarez to face Barcelona.
While fans continue to push the gritty rivalry narrative, in all honesty, Barcelona facing off against Atletico Madrid was never a rivalry. It was always just two top teams competing against each other. The truth is, it’s highly unlikely that such a scene will happen in a Madrid derby or an El Clasico, where the atmosphere is always tense.
At the end of the day, it’ll always be looked at both ways; some will perceive the actions as a loss of rivalry and fight for the game; others view these interactions as a natural evolution of the sport.
