Atlético Madrid lost 2-1 to Barcelona at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano in a match that featured several Argentine players. Giuliano Simeone scored for the home side, while Nicolás González was sent off before halftime.
Atlético started with multiple Argentine players in the lineup, including Giuliano Simeone, Nicolás González, Nahuel Molina, Thiago Almada and Juan Musso. Julián Álvarez did not feature in the match.
Giuliano Simeone opened the scoring in the 39th minute. The forward made a run behind the defense, controlled a long pass and finished at the near post to give Atlético the lead. The advantage did not last long, as Barcelona equalized minutes later.
The match changed before halftime when Nicolás González received a red card. Playing in a defensive role on the left side, the Argentine was involved in several defensive actions and was sent off near the end of the first half after a foul on the edge of the box.
With one player less, Atlético played the second half under pressure.
Juan Musso had multiple interventions in goal and was named MVP of the match. The Argentine goalkeeper made several saves during the second half, including stops from distance and in one-on-one situations. Barcelona found the winning goal late in the match.
Nahuel Molina and Thiago Almada were also part of the starting lineup and completed the match.
Julián Álvarez was not included in the game. The forward had minutes with the Argentina national team during the international break and remained out of the squad.
With this result, Atlético Madrid lost at home before facing Barcelona again in the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals next Wednesday.
