Luis Suarez cancelled out a first-half effort from Saul Niguez as Barcelona came from behind to draw 1-1 with Atletico Madrid at Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday night.
Saul's first-half effort looked to be securing all three points for Atletico, but Luis Suarez netted in the 82nd minute as the points were shared in the entertaining La Liga clash.
The big team news for Atletico saw left-back Filipe Luis selected after the Brazilian overcame a muscular problem. Juanfran also came into the team at right-back, while as expected, Koke, Saul and Gabi started as the midfield three.
As for Barcelona, the surprise name in the XI was Portuguese midfielder Andre Gomes, who was included ahead of Paulinho, Sergi Roberto and Denis Suarez. Andres Iniesta, meanwhile, was fit to start after overcoming the hamstring problem he picked up against Las Palmas last time out.
Barcelona came close to making the breakthrough inside the first minute when Luis Suarez freed Lionel Messi inside the Atletico box, but the Argentine's effort was deflected wide as the hosts survived a dangerous moment early on.
The visitors were moving the ball with pace and purpose in the early stages, and Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak had to save from Iniesta as the league leaders threatened once again in the fourth minute.
It did not take long for Atletico to find their feet, however, with Antoine Griezmann testing Barcelona stopper Marc-Andre ter Stegen with a powerful strike in the seventh minute.
Two minutes later, Griezmann went head to head with Ter Stegen once again, and the German made another smart save with his left foot as the score remained goalless inside a lively opening 10 minutes.
Ter Stegen could do nothing when Saul arrowed one towards the bottom corner in the 21st minute, however, with the Atletico midfielder sending his team ahead courtesy of a brilliant right-footed strike from outside the Barcelona box.
The visitors had to wait until the 33rd minute to create an opportunity to level, but Luis Suarez somehow failed to meet a delivery from Messi after Atletico got their marking wrong from a Barcelona free kick.
Luis Suarez had another half-chance in the latter stages of the first period after breaking into the Atletico box, but Stefan Savic was across to make a fine challenge as the score stayed 1-0 entering the half-time interval.
Barcelona had more than 70% of the ball during the opening 45 minutes, and Valverde resisted the temptation to make changes as the same 22 players took to the field for the start of the second period.
It was Atletico that had the first half-chance of the second period after a short corner saw Carrasco work some space, but the Belgian's whipped effort was kept out by Ter Stegen.
The home side continued to have joy on the counter-attack, and Griezmann fired just wide of the Barcelona post in the 53rd minute as Atletico threatened a second goal.
Barcelona's first chance of the second half came in the 55th minute when Luis Suarez broke into a dangerous position, but the striker saw his effort beaten away by Oblak. Messi then curled a stunning free kick against the post as the pressure built on Atletico.
Roberto and Gerard Deulofeu both came off the Barcelona bench in the 61st minute as Valverde looked for a solution, while Nico Gaitan was introduced for the home side.
Oblak kept out a low strike from Messi in the 66th minute, before the Argentine fired just wide of the post five minutes later as Barcelona continued to dominate the possession.
Paulinho was Valverde's final throw of the dice ahead of the final 10 minutes, and Barcelona had another super chance in the 81st minute when Deulofeu fed Luis Suarez inside the Atletico box, but Oblak was down to keep out the Uruguay international's effort.
Luis Suarez made no mistake moments later, however, as he headed a deep Roberto cross past Oblak to level the scores in the 82nd minute.
The former Liverpool striker had two chances to win it for Barcelona late on, but just failed to connect on a pass from Gomes, before curling over the crossbar from distance.
Messi was to have the final kick of the match as he stood over a set piece just outside the Atletico box, but the Argentine fired into the arms of Oblak as the points were shared in Madrid.
Next up for Barcelona is a Champions League group match against Olympiacos on Wednesday, while Atletico are also in European action away to Qarabag on the same night.
Matt Law
