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Still a man of extremes at the age of 38: Dani Alves
Photo: Joan Monfort/AP
FC Barcelona won the top game in the Spanish league against Atlético Madrid.
In a fast-paced game, the Catalans beat the reigning champions 4-2 (3-1) on the debut of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and winger Adama Traoré.
However, the guests from the capital got off to a better start: Atlético striker Yannick Carrasco gave the Madrilenians the lead after just seven minutes.
But Barça reacted immediately and scored three times before the break with a remarkable volley from Jordi Alba (10th minute), a deflected header from Gavi (21st) and a low shot from Ronald Araujo (43rd).
After the change, the now 38-year-old Dani Alves (49th) finally made the preliminary decision with his first Barça goal since 2013, which was not changed by the goal of ex-Barça striker Luis Suárez (58th).
First goal, then dismissal
Almost eleven minutes later, the next excitement followed: Alves, who had been playing well until then, kicked Atlético goalscorer Carrasco roughly in the calf in a completely harmless situation and was thrown off the field.
But Atlético could not use this superiority in the final stages and finally lost clearly to the Blaugrana in front of the 74,000 spectators at the Camp Nou.
"We're very happy, we played a great game.
The fans gave us a lot of support.
It was an important game and now we're where we wanted to be.
On a Champions League spot,” said Barça goalscorer Araujo after the game.
Barça now on a Champions League spot
With the win against the Rojiblancos, Barcelona (38 points) have now overtaken Atlético (36) and are fourth and thus in a Champions League place.
Real Madrid are still at the top of the table (50 points), followed by FC Sevilla (47) and Real Betis (40).
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