'The killer pass behind the opening goal' — With Lee Kang-in out, the attack becomes a 'disorganized mess'... ATM suffers a 1-2 comeback loss to Barcelona, with 'Lopez scoring twice'

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Atletico Madrid, in which Lee Kang-in played for approximately 60 minutes, suffered a comeback loss to powerhouse Barcelona.

Atletico lost 1-2 in their home match against Barcelona in the 12th round of the 2026-2027 Spanish La Liga season, held at Riyadh Air Metropolitano in Madrid, Spain, at 5:00 a.m. (KST) on the 19th.

Atletico's seven-game winning streak in the league came to an end, dropping them from second to third place with 33 points (9 wins, 1 draw, 2 losses). Meanwhile, Barcelona surged to the top of the table with 33 points (11 wins, 1 loss).

Atletico were locked in a tense 1-1 draw at halftime in their home match against Barcelona in the 12th round of the 2026-2027 Spanish La Liga season, held at Riyadh Air Metropolitano in Madrid, Spain, at 5:00 a.m. (KST) on the 19th.

Manager Diego Simeone deployed a 4-4-2 formation. Lee Kang-in and Julian Alvarez started as the front two, while Julian Simeone, Koke, Pablo Barrios, and Alex Baena were positioned in the second line. The back four consisted of Alejandro Grimaldo, David Hancko, Marc Pubill, and Marcos Llorente. Jan Oblak guarded the goal.

Visiting team Barcelona countered with a 4-3-3 formation. Raphinha, Anthony Gordon, and Lamine Yamal started as the front three. The midfield was formed by Marc Bernal, Fermín Lopez, and Pedri. The back four was composed of Gerard Martin, Pau Cubarsi, Joao Cancelo, and Bryan Gil. Joan Garcia donned the goalkeeper gloves.

Lee Kang-in's sharp passing stood out from the early stages of the match. In the 4th minute of the first half, Lee Kang-in threaded a through ball to Llorente, who was making a run into the space behind the defense. Although Llorente immediately delivered a cross upon receiving the ball, it was blocked by the defense and did not lead to the next attack.

Both teams hit the goal frame once each, heating up the atmosphere from the start. In the 6th minute of the first half, Pubill's header from a corner kick struck the top of the crossbar and bounced out.

A minute later, Barcelona immediately struck back by hitting the goal frame. Pedri, who received a pass from Yamal near the penalty line, curled a powerful shot with his left foot that slammed into the goal frame.

Atletico emerged as the winner of the early tense standoff. Lee Kang-in's fantastic through ball was the catalyst for the opening goal. In the 9th minute of the first half, Lee Kang-in, who had the ball on the right flank, threaded a long outfront pass to Alvarez on the opposite side. Alvarez quickly passed the ball to the center, and Simeone, who was making a run, finished with a one-touch shot.

Lee Kang-in's first shot came in the 24th minute of the first half. Lee Kang-in, who had the ball on the right side of the box, shook off the defender before striking a powerful low shot with his left foot, but it went straight to the goalkeeper.

Barcelona, who had been under pressure, equalized. In the 45th minute of the first half, Lopez immediately shot a ball that deflected off Pubill inside the box, shaking the net.

The first half ended 1-1 amidst a fierce atmosphere and back-and-forth exchanges.

As Atletico began to be pushed back in the second half, Manager Simeone made substitutions without hesitation, with Lee Kang-in being the first to come off. In the 15th minute of the second half, Lee Kang-in was replaced by attacker Alexander Sorloth.

According to football statistics specialist 'FootMob', Lee Kang-in played for approximately 60 minutes, recording one shot, an 89% pass success rate (17/19), one successful dribble, and two successful ground ball duels.

Immediately after Lee Kang-in left the field, Atletico conceded a go-ahead goal. In the 21st minute of the second half, Lopez connected with a right-foot shot on a forward pass from Yamal into the box, tearing the net.

Atletico saw no effect from Sorloth, who was brought on for Lee Kang-in. The ball failed to connect to the front line at all, and mobility decreased.

Failing to find an attacking thread after conceding the go-ahead goal, Atletico accepted a painful 1-2 defeat.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original