The Spanish wonderkid put in a fantastic display but Barca had a tough time against their Italian opponents
Lamine Yamal's magic was not enough for Barcelona as the Spanish side twice surrendered a lead to draw 2-2 with Atalanta in the Champions League on Wednesday. The 17-year-old winger quickly emerged as the Catalan side's most dangerous player and opened the scoring, but the visitors were able to stay in the game and deprive Hansi Flick's men of finishing top of the league phase of the competition.
Amid Barca's slow start and some promising moments from the Italians, it was Gian Piero Gasperini's team who first put the ball in the net in the 36th minute, capitalising on some awful Barcelona defending as the ball fell to an unmarked Davide Zappacosta to fire home, but a VAR review revealed he was offside.
Within 90 seconds of the restart, Barca hit their guests on the counterattack. As the ball came out to Raphinha, he sent it into Yamal's path and he took it around the goalkeeper and followed it in.
It was Yamal who kickstarted Barca's next dangerous attack as he picked out Robert Lewandowski with a pass. The Polish striker looked destined to score as he charged towards goal but he stumbled and fell as the ball missed the target. Moments later, Yamal weaved his way into a great position to score but his shot was saved.
Despite the promising moves, Barcelona still looked vulnerable and Atalanta finally exposed that in the 67th minute when Ederson received the ball outside the box, skipped past Pedri and fired in a beautiful goal.
Barca were back in the lead within five minutes, though, when a Raphinha corner found Ronald Araujo on his own at the back post and the defender headed in, but Atalanta refused to give up and pulled level through Mario Pasalic, who held off Jules Kounde and Araujo's challenges to knock through Wojciech Szczesny from close range.
The Catalan side pushed for a winner and came close in the dying stages, but were forced to settle for a point.
GOAL rates Barcelona's players from Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys…
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Wojciech Szczesny (5/10):
Denied an effort from close range early on but saw the equaliser go through his legs.
Jules Kounde (5/10):
Found it tough dealing with Atalanta's style, leaving big spaces in key areas.
Ronald Araujo (6/10):
Woeful at building up and had a few shaky moments defensively, but he headed in a key goal.
Eric Garcia (5/10):
Not the best one to partner Araujo, he looked vulnerable against a lively attack.
Alejandro Balde (7/10):
A strong performance defensively and he offered support on the left wing.
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Frenkie de Jong (5/10):
Slowed down Barca's attack by passing backwards too often.
Pedri (6/10):
Managed to stay calm on the ball despite Atalanta's pressure but was wrecked by Ederson for the goal.
Gavi (6/10):
Far from his best in the first half but offered more after the break with his movement and passing.
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Lamine Yamal (8/10):
Another fantastic performance as he looked to spark Barca into life and did so with the opening goal.
Robert Lewandowski (3/10):
Wasted his one big chance in comical fashion before he went off in the 69th minute.
Raphinha (7/10):
Set up Yamal with a fine cross and then planted it on Araujo's head for the second.
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Fermin Lopez (5/10):
Tried to find space between the lines but Barca had a tough time finding him.
Ferran Torres (6/10):
Had a tricky header go over the bar and a decent shot saved.
Pau Cubarsi (6/10):
Came on for the last 20 minutes and looked good.
Marc Casado (N/A):
A late introduction.
Pau Victor (N/A):
Replaced Yamal in stoppage time.
Hansi Flick (6/10):
Will be worried by how well Atalanta were able to stifle his team but they had chances to win it.