Following the match, manager Luis Enrique admitted that it was a great loss for his side to lose Messi as his presence makes the team stronger.
Advertisement
Earlier on Wednesday, Real’s 100 per cent start to the season came to an end as they drew 1-1 at home to Villarreal, also halting their joint record run of 16 straight league wins.
The result leaves Barcelona in fourth place, three points behind leaders Real Madrid, who drew 1-1 at home to Villarreal earlier in the day, while Atletico are a point behind in fourth.
Earlier, Messi sustained a groin problem during worldwide duty with Argentina and had played just 30 minutes in the recent 2-1 defeat to Alaves.
Messi was denied by Jan Oblak in one of few chances in a tight first half but Rakitic broke free of Atletico’s clutches to put Barca in front.
Barcelona was in control after Ivan Rakitic broke through Atletico’s staunch defense in the 41st with a header from Andres Iniesta’s cross.
Sergio Busquets was first forced off due to illness before Messi went down to the consternation of the Camp Nou.
Arda Turan was readied and came on his place, with Angel Correa grabbing Atletico’s equalizer nearly immediately.
Barca came closest to finding a victor in the final half hour as a fierce drive from Neymar was repelled by Oblak, whilst Jordi Alba and Rakitic fired off target.
From then on Real dominated proceedings as they searched for a victor, but despite chances falling the way of Gareth Bale, Ronaldo and Alvaro Morata, the European champions failed to break down Villarreal.
“We defended very well throughout, but in the second half we were able to be protagonists as well”. “They gave us no space and made everything more complicated”, Luis Enrique told a news conference.
“We had chances when we got into our rhythm, but we know and accept that there are things we have to improve”.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale returned to the Madrid side that won 2-0 at Espanyol on Sunday.
Captain Bruno Soriano stepped up and coolly chipped the ball down the middle of the goal past Casilla.
“The key to the match was the change we made at the start of the second half”, Simeone said.
Advertisement
Ronaldo was then inches away from turning home Dani Carvajal’s low cross and Bale curled just wide as the pressure increased from Madrid.
