Three talking points as Barcelona beat Atletico Madrid 3–1 at the Spotify Camp Nou | OneFootball

Much has been made of Flick’s team’s failure to win the so-called big games this season, without taking into account the number of key first-team players missing on each occasion. Last night, Tuesday night, Barcelona responded in style.

With the exception of Frenkie de Jong, Flick managed to start an XI that included most of the key players, such as Raphinha, Pedri, Lamine Yamal, and Robert Lewandowski, and the result was a dominant display against Diego Simeone’s side.

Atlético Madrid did what they do best, disrupt the game with fouls and constant appeals for bookings, but Barcelona’s sheer attacking strength ensured they ended up on the right side of the result.

With all this in mind, here are three talking points as Barcelona thumped Atlético Madrid 3–1 at the Spotify Camp Nou in La Liga.

Barcelona’s performance against Atlético Madrid recalled their home game in La Liga last season at Montjuïc, with a sense that a familiar script might repeat itself at the Camp Nou.

At Montjuïc, Flick’s team dominated from start to finish but were unable to find the net. Atlético took advantage and nicked a last-minute winner, securing a 2–1 victory over the Catalan club.

For about 60 minutes last night, it was the same story for Barcelona: plenty of chances and plenty of misses, including a horrendous penalty from Robert Lewandowski. However, Dani Olmo said, “Not today”.

In what was his last act before going off with what looked like a dislocated shoulder, he was central to an excellent team move and calmly slotted the ball into the corner, leaving Oblak stranded and giving Barcelona a much-deserved lead. No déjà vu this time.

2: Raphinha x Pedri

Tuesday night was yet more evidence that Barcelona, with Raphinha and Pedri, and without them, are two completely different teams. The duo started against Atlético and ran the show from attack and midfield, respectively.

Around the 70-minute mark, though, neither player could continue, and Hansi Flick had to make substitutions. From that moment on, Barcelona lost much of the control they had enjoyed, underlining just how important they are.

When the duo were together on the pitch, the team looked very close to last season’s version, and it is no coincidence that this resulted in Barcelona’s first big-game win of the 2025/26 season.

The priority going forward must be ensuring the fitness of the Spaniard and the Brazilian, along with Lamine Yamal. Without these three, the system simply cannot function.

3: Just Dani Olmo things

Dani Olmo has had a couple of great games in a Barcelona shirt, carrying his form from international duty into club action. He has scored three goals in two matches, including last night’s strike against Atlético.

However, in typical fashion, the Spaniard picked up yet another injury, this time in the process of scoring, which will see him miss out until the new year. A dislocated shoulder is the reason this time.

Olmo showed glimpses of his imperious self against Simeone’s side, and it is a shame he will now miss a series of games at a time when he was just coming into his own for Flick to depend on.

The good news is that Fermín López will be back soon, but with no available natural attacking midfielders to face Betis this weekend, do not be surprised to see Dro start in that role following his impressive cameo last night.