Five keys to the victory that opened the door to the 2014/15 La Liga title

Five keys to the victory that opened the door to the 2014/15 La Liga title

The decisiveness of Lionel Messi and defensive certainty among the keys to the win at the Calderón

Big Hero Ten: Barça's number ten, striker Lionel Messi, scored the only goal in Sunday's 1–0 victory at the Calderón, a win that clinched La Liga for FC Barcelona. It was in the 65th minutes after an exquisite give and go with Pedro inside the area and a Mesi shot that Atlético goalkeeper Jan Oblak couldn't stop. It was Messi's 41st league goal, and yet another game-winner.

Real Madrid's win:
When the news came thatLos Blancos were winning comfortably at Espanyol, it forced Barça to win at Atlético to claim the title this weekend. With the pressure on, the Catalans came through. Game, set, match.

No Suárez: Barca's starting lineup had a significant development in that Luis Suárez, who had lingering hamstring problems, was left off the squad at the last minute. As a result Messi has played more in the middle, flanked by Neymar on the left and by Pedro on the right. The three strikers were very active and had numerous scoring chances.

Bravo and the back line:
Barça are by far the best defensive team in La Liga, based on goals conceded, having given up only 19 goals in 37 games. At the Calderon the defense was, once again, flawless. Alves, Piqué, Alba, and Mascherano formed an impenetrable line, and what little danger Atlético created was thwarted by Bravo, like in the 8th minute after a header from Giménez. Barça's Chilean goalkeeper is a shoo-in win the Zamora Trophy.

Fourth victory over Atlético:
Last season Atlético resisted Barca, going unbeaten versus the Catalans in six matches, the final game delivering them the La Liga title at Camp Nou. This year the situation changed radically, with Barça winning all four games between the two sides, including both league matches and two solid wins in the Spanish Cup.

Força Barça
Força Barça

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