It was a chance for Barcelona to reassert their authority in La Liga against an opponent that hadn’t beaten them in any competition since 2021, and who hadn’t won a league game in Barcelona since 2006.
For whatever reason, the Catalans have been a real bogey team for Diego Simeone and his Atletico Madrid side, but the Rojiblancos are made of stronger stuff this season.
Their smash and grab at the Estadio Lluis Companys was their 12th successive win in all competitions - an incredible run which deserves plaudits even from the vanquished.
If truth be told, Alexander Sorloth should never have been slotting home a winner in the final minute of injury time.