“Barcelona claim a narrow victory in a fixture they’ve found difficult in recent years – but Lionel Messi was injured late on. Quique Sanchez Flores chose a 4-4-2ish system with few surprises, similar to the team which reached the Europa League final last season. Sergio Aguero passed a late fitness test, but didn’t look 100% and had little influence on the game. Simao Sabrosa and Jose Antonio Reyes were deployed as inverted wingers.” (Zonal Marking)

A Mauling For Messi In The Calderon…
“There are a handful of players in la Liga who are genuinely scary people – the kind that have the opening minutes of Saving Private Ryan playing endless loops in their frequently-addled brains. Two of them, Walter Pandiani and Carlos Aranda, play up front for Osasuna. Both sport shaven heads, boast long histories of off-the-field ‘incidents’ and most probably have kennels stuffed with slobbering, testosterone-chomping pit bulls back at their evil lairs.” (Football365)

Atlético Madrid 1 – 2 Barcelona
“Barcelona put their poor recent record at the Vicente Calderon behind them to end Atletico Madrid’s 100% start to the Primera Division season – but there was an injury scare for Lionel Messi. Barca had lost their three previous league visits to Atletico’s home 2-1, 4-3 and 4-2 but they deservedly earned all three points on this occasion thanks to first-half goals from Messi and Gerard Pique.” (ESPN)

Lionel Messi Injury – Atletico Madrid 1-2 FC Barcelona – La Liga
(The 90th Mniute)