![Barca loan star Felix makes Atletico pay in title race](https://www.berlinertageblatt.de/media/shared/articles/68/49/0a/Barca-loan-star-Felix-makes-Atletic-411754.jpg)
-
Multiple people shot along highway in US state of Kentucky
-
'Super proud' Sabalenka downs Pegula to win US Open thriller
-
In Papua New Guinea, Pope holds mass 'at the edge of the world'
-
Hewett stays positive for wheelchair tennis despite agonising defeat
-
Three things on US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka
-
Sabalenka downs Pegula to win US Open thriller
-
USA men land Paralympic basketball three-peat, Jiang takes 7th swim gold
-
USA slump to first home defeat against Canada in 67 years
-
Argentina hand Australia record 67-27 loss in Rugby Championship
-
England impress on Carsley bow, Germany, Dutch hit five
-
AFP photographer wins top prize for Gaza coverage
-
No Love for Packers for three weeks after ligament sprain: reports
-
Pedro Almodovar: chronicler of modern Spain crowned in Venice
-
Almodovar wins top Venice prize for end-of-life film
-
Trump sounds dark tone at rally, Harris 'ready' for debate
-
Wirtz and Musiala dazzle to kick-start new Germany era
-
Chinese teenager takes 7th gold of Paris Paralympics
-
England interim boss Carsley 'respects' divided opinions over anthem
-
Neuville moves to the front in the Acropolis Rally
-
Garfield, Pugh charm Toronto in new romance 'We Live in Time'
-
21 boys confirmed dead in Kenya school inferno
-
Over 100,000 protest in France against new prime minister
-
Golden 30 minutes takes China to swimming Paralympics swimming domination
-
Green leads Australia to T20 series sweep of Scotland
-
Nigeria, Cameroon win afer chaotic AFCON build-ups
-
Nicole Kidman: A-lister, cinematic chameleon, wins in Venice
-
'I had to prove myself', says Kolisi after win against All Blacks
-
Almodovar wins top prize at Venice film festival
-
Grealish savours England redemption after 'worst summer'
-
Carsley makes flying start as England interim boss in win over Ireland
-
Springboks close on Rugby Championship with storming win over All Blacks
-
Sri Lanka's De Silva and Kamindu Mendis defy England in third Test
-
Farrell's Racing lose on opening day of Top 14
-
Ireland and UK to 'reset' relations as Starmer visits Dublin
-
Dunbar takes second Vuelta stage as Roglic closes in on victory
-
Fritz eyes US Open glory to end 21 years of American hurt
-
Thousands protest in France against new prime minister
-
Death toll from Kenya school blaze rises to 21
-
Brazil's right rallies for 'freedom' after X suspended
-
Trump to hold rally in swing state, Harris preps for debate
-
Stone at the double as Sri Lanka collapse against England in third Test
-
French tennis player takes legal action over online abuse
-
Italy backs Kyiv's 'legitimate defence' as Zelensky presses allies
-
The Body Shop rescued from administration after deal
-
Martin roars to victory in San Marino sprint, extends MotoGP lead
-
Smoke and screams: The horror of Kenya's school dorm inferno
-
MotoGP leader Martin roars to victory in San Marino sprint
-
Ireland and UK to 'reset' relations as Starmer begins Dublin visit
-
Ma Lin turns brutal encounter with bear into glorious Paralympic career
-
Flintoff appointed England Lions head coach
![Barca loan star Felix makes Atletico pay in title race](https://www.berlinertageblatt.de/media/shared/articles/68/49/0a/Barca-loan-star-Felix-makes-Atletic-411754.jpg)
Barca loan star Felix makes Atletico pay in title race
Joao Felix's superb dinked finish earned Barcelona a vital 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid on Sunday in the La Liga title race.
The Portuguese forward, on loan at Barca from Atletico, made no secret of his pleasure to escape the Spanish capital this summer and made his parent club pay at the Olympic Stadium.
Felix was criticised by some Atletico players ahead of the game and Barca coach Xavi Hernandez called on him to use those words as inspiration, which he duly did.
The forward's goal allowed Barca to reclaim third place from Atletico, now trailing leaders Real Madrid and second place Girona by four points.
"He made the difference for the team again, he gave everything, working hard, stealing the ball back, I am very happy for him," Xavi told reporters.
"I told him to be calm, this extra motivation sometimes speeds you up and you cross the line."
Xavi hailed his players' performance as a whole.
"The team had personality, we played very well today -– maybe it’s our best game of the season, a complete one, I would say.
"It's a very positive sign of what we can and should do in every game – this is what Barca should be."
Atletico have not won away against the champions in La Liga since 2006, a run now stretching to 18 matches, but arrived thinking this could be the time to snap that streak.
Since crumbling to a defeat in the Clasico by Real Madrid at the end of October, Barcelona have struggled for form and confidence.
Barcelona started well, carving out chances and Felix broke the deadlock after 28 minutes, taking a brilliant touch to ride Nahuel Molina's challenge and then dinking the ball over Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak.
Felix celebrated with arms aloft, standing on the advertising hoardings in front of the angry visiting supporters, while Rojiblancos coach Diego Simeone appeared disgruntled as he flashed up on the big screens.
The 24-year-old forward, a club record signing at 126 million euros ($137 million) in 2019, never settled in the capital and did not click with Simeone's management and playing style.
"It was spontaneous... in the heat of the game and it was like a relief, for everything I lived through this summer," Felix told Movistar about his celebration.
"Every week I'm talked about, whether for good or bad, I do my job, without looking at what they say or think."
- Payback -
Perhaps not coincidentally, Axel Witsel was soon booked for hacking Felix to the ground shortly after.
Felix came close to a second with a prodded effort from Ilkay Gundogan's cut-back, but this time Oblak denied him.
Gundogan impressed in midfield alongside fit-again duo Pedri and Frenkie de Jong, as Barcelona controlled the game.
Raphinha clipped the post at the start of the second half to get Barcelona fans out of their seats.
Despite their high-calibre opponents, the attendance fell short of 35,000 and was the club's poorest this season, with supporters perhaps chastened by the colder winter evenings and the late kick-off.
Atletico improved in the second half but not by enough to force an equaliser.
Talisman Antoine Griezmann worked hard but could not find the net against his old employers -- he has not netted in 14 games against Barca for the Rojiblancos.
Memphis Depay, another ex-Barcelona player, came closest for Atletico with a free-kick tipped over by Inaki Pena, between the sticks for the hosts in place of the hurt Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
"They started better, they had more personality with the ball," admitted Simeone.
"The team improved and had the chances to equalise."
Robert Lewandowski should have wrapped up Barcelona's victory but pulled an effort wide late on – he only has three goals in his last 10 games for the club across all competitions.
Atletico, fourth, trail Barca by three points and the top two by seven.
"The idea was to go for the game and I don't know what happened," Atletico goalkeeper Oblak told Movistar.
"Nobody was good in the first half, nobody wanted the ball, nobody wanted to play."
Earlier winless bottom side Almeria were held 0-0 at home by 10-man Real Betis, seventh, on Sunday.
Struggling Sevilla, 15th, drew 1-1 with Villarreal and have not won in 10 matches under new coach Diego Alonso between La Liga and the Champions League.
O.Krause--BTB