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8 October 2007, by Lorna Danion

Deco preponderant as Barcelona overpower Atletico

Barcelona 3-0 Atletico Madrid

Portuguese international Deco scored his first goal of the season as Barcelona continued their excellent recent form with a comfortable victory over Atletico Madrid at the Camp Nou.

The Brazilian-born midfielder seized on a mistake by Atletico goalkeeper Christian Abbiati to put his side ahead on the quarter hour, with Portuguese trio Ze Castro, Maniche and Simao Sabrosa unable to prevent the visitors from their first defeat since the opening day.

Atletico started well, closing Barca down and limiting the hosts to few chances in the opening fifteen minutes, while Maniche fired over from twenty metres on a rare run into the opposition half.

Deco poaches goal

However, the Madrid side’s good early work was undone by a goalkeeping mistake from Abbiati, from which Deco profited. Lionel Messi cut in from the right and fired a ball across the goalmouth, which the Italian ‘keeper failed to gather, allowing the alert Deco to tap in from close-range.

Barca quickly doubled their advantage, with Messi adding to his excellent recent form with another goal. The 20-year-old played a neat one-two with Ronaldinho, before firing a low shot across Abbiati and into the bottom corner.

Messi almost scored again shortly before half time after more superb set-up play from Ronaldinho, but was put off by a challenge from Ze Castro. The Portuguese defender came off worse, however, and was substituted early in the second period after struggling with the knock.

By that time, Deco had already fired over from the edge of the area, as Atletico came under waves of attacks from the home side, who were looking to finish the game off early in the second period.

Simao shoots over

However, after weathering the storm, Atletico enjoyed their best period in the game in a fifteen minute spell midway through the half. A rasping shot from Maxi Rodriguez forced Valdes into a smart save, while Simao, who had a quiet game, played a one-two with the Argentine before lifting his finish over the crossbar from a tight angle.

Barca soon regained control, with Deco particularly impressive. The former Porto man was put through on goal on the inside-right of the area, but his finish was well blocked by Abbiati, who denied Henry just seconds later.

Deco then created a chance for Messi, who was again thwarted by Abbiati, before the Portuguese international played a key role as his side finally made sure of the win with a third. Young substitute Giovani was played in by Deco on the left channel and crossed for Xavi to sidefoot home from five metres in the dying minutes.

Barcelona:
Valdes, Oleguer, Abidal, Milito, Puyol, Xavi, Deco, Iniesta, Messi, Ronaldinho (Giovani, 81), Henry (Krkic, 86)
Yellow Cards: Deco

Atletico Madrid:
Abbiati, Seitaridis, Pernia, Ze Castro (Eller, 63), Pablo, Maniche, Raul Garcia, Simao, Reyes (Maxi, 55), Aguero (Luis Garcia, 64), Forlan
Yellow Cards: Raul Garcia, Pablo, Pernia

Goals:
[1-0] Deco, 17
[2-0] Messi, 20
[3-0] Xavi, 90