![Barcelona striker Luis Suarez in action in a past match. [Image Credit: Guillermo Garay/Flickr]](https://staticr1.blastingcdn.com/media/photogallery/2017/10/14/660x290/b_502x220x82/barcelona-striker-luis-suarez-in-action-in-a-past-match-imageflickr-credit-guillermo-garay_1632427.jpg "Barcelona striker Luis Suarez in action in a past match. [Image Credit: Guillermo Garay/Flickr]")
It was the first time that Barcelona was traveling to 'Spain' since Cataluna voted two weeks ago seeking to secede from the mainstream nation. Barca went to the capital city Madrid where they have two sworn rivals in the name of Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid. It was the last real test that the two Spanish giants were facing since the Primera Liga resumed in August.
Atletico Madrid played the hosts in a game that they were too aware that victory would ensure that they remained in the second spot in the league standings. The visitors were keen on continuing with the winning streak that had seen them win all the opening league fixtures.
Barcelona was sure of remaining at the top of the table even if the result didn’t go their way.
The only unbeaten teams so far
Barcelona and Atletico Madrid went into the game when they were occupying the first two positions in the league table. Both sides hadn’t tasted defeats since the league began early in August and were keen to make the unbeaten status continue. True to the two teams’ aspirations, the game ended in the 1-1 draw and ensured that the undefeated runs of both the Barcelona and the Madrid outfits remained intact.
Barcelona who were the league’s runners-up last season were the favorites to win the game considering that Ernesto Valverde's side was going into the fixture after seven straight victories in the Spanish league.
Also, in the last four encounters between the two clubs, Barcelona had prevailed winning two away fixtures while drawing at Camp Nou in all competitions.
Atletico Madrid went into the game at the backdrop of failing to secure wins in the last of their two matches, so the draw against Barca pushed the hosts’ winless streak to three games in all competitions.
Diego Simeone side had lost1-2 to Chelsea in Champions League at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano before being stunned by a goalless draw at the newcomers, Leganes just before the international break.
Suarez grabbed an equalizer for the visitors
The two managers wouldn’t want the game to be played on any other day but were happy with the fixture as it was arranged since they nearly had the full houses in each of their teams.
The hosts were only missing Augusto Fernandez through injury while the visitors were without Ousmane Dembele and Rafinha.
Saul Niguez opened the scoring in the twenty-first minute and ensured that the home team went to the break while carrying the slim lead. Despite the visitors parading their decorated side composed of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Sergio Busquets, they found it hard to get a goal in Madrid. Barcelona goal came eight minutes before the end of the regulation period with Luis Suarez getting on the scoresheet after an assist came from Sergi Roberto. The visitors were only able to break the stubborn Atletico Madrid after making maximum substitutions in a game that Barcelona nearly suffered their first defeat after making an impressive seven league wins in a row.
