It was not pretty; it was never going to be. Having learned the lessons of 10 days ago, Diego Simeone sent his side to the Camp Nou to do a job, one they had executed almost to perfection before eight minutes from time, Lionel Messi managed to cajole a silly push out of Guilherme Siqueira.
What then followed was one of those frustrating incidents that happen all too often in Spain. A loose ball, a player the slightest touch and hits the deck, via the aid of the sniper in the crowd. It is one of those that happen in Spanish football. When you get them you take them and justify the decision by saying they even themselves out over the season, and Atleti are owed one after tonight.
Before this, Simeone's men had set out for a 0-0 draw. To take the match back to the Vicente Calderon in front of their own fans, ready to have a 90-minute showdown. One clear chance aside -- that fell to an out of sorts Luis Suarez -- Atleti did not look like conceding.
Even when Messi struck the penalty, the ball would still not go in. It took a rebound and a relieved Argentine to put his team ahead on the night, however Simeone will take heart from the fact it seems apparent that if you can stop Barcelona's front three from doing there thing -- as they were unable to 10 days ago -- the rest of the side do not look anywhere near as good.
So, despite the disappointment, it is still all to play for in a week's time, although Los Rojiblancos are going to have to do it without Diego Godin, so often their man for the big occasion, who picked up a silly booking five minutes from the end that rules him out of the tie.
Player Ratings (1-10; 10=best. Players introduced after 70 minutes get no rating)
GK Jan Oblak, 8 -- Without doubt the Slovenian's best game yet for Atleti. He produced a good full length save from Neymar early doors, claimed some tricky crosses and got everything behind a fizzed Iniesta effort a quarter of an hour before the end. Desperately unlucky to concede after he saved Messi's penalty.
DF Juanfran, 5 -- Booked cheaply on half-time, he ran the disciplinary tightrope in the second half and was fortunate not to receive a second yellow when he brought down Sergio Busquets for the penalty, despite it being cheap. Barcelona seem to be his kryptonite.
DF Guilherme Siqueira, 5 -- The Brazilian enjoyed an excellent period in the first half, bombing forwards and putting in a perfect cross from which Antoine Griezmann may have done better. He defended resolutely in the second period, however one lapse in concentration was enough to see Messi brought down and a free kick awarded, from which the penalty was given. A silly challenge he did not need to make.
DF Diego Godin, 6 -- Resumed the battle with fellow countryman Luis Suarez and largely came out on top, however a mad last 10 minutes in which the Uruguayan lost his head saw him almost hand Barcelona the second on a plate, before hauling down Messi to earn himself a booking that means he misses the second leg next week.
DF Joao Miranda, 7 -- The best of the defenders, he saved Godin's skin after he lost ball to Messi close to box as Barca threatened a second, and showed he is more than ready to slot back into the first team after injury.
MF Gabi, 6 -- The skipper was solid in the middle of the park, and looked to have learned the lessons from the last meeting where he was overran by Busquets and Iniesta. Booked for protesting the penalty.
MF Mario Suarez, 8 -- Comfortably Atletico Madrid's best outfield player, Mario has been a revelation over the past few weeks. In the early stages with Barcelona looking to make a quick start he was everywhere, breaking up attacks and carrying the ball 30 yards up the other end of the pitch. Impressed after the break with backs against the wall, too. Fans have to hope he is playing for a new deal, rather than a transfer away this window.
MF Koke, 7 -- Lead a good break away towards the end of the first half that Fernando Torres squandered, his duty was mainly to help Siqueira out with Messi rampaging forwards, which he did admirably. Strange to see so many short corners, given Atleti's prowess in the air and his ability to whip in a mean dead ball, though.
MF Arda Turan, 6 -- The Turkey international was in the wars as he sought to make an impact, however he struggled to get involved with the side intent on sitting back.
MF Antoine Griezmann, 6 -- A decent showing from the Frenchman, however he headed over when well placed in the first half, in turn taking it off the onrushing Gabi's head. A willing runner, he was subbed off 25 minutes from the end for Raul Garcia.
FW Fernando Torres, 5 -- It did not happen for El Nino as he visited the side he used to be a bit of a bete noire for. Unable to add to his tally of eight in 12 against the Catalan outfit, Torres was firmly on the periphery before he was hooked at half time. Had one glorious chance to play Griezmann through on goal when running two-on-one at Gerard Pique, but his pass was too close to the centre back, who was able to intervene.
Substitutes
FW Mario Mandzukic (for Torres), 6 -- The Croat made an initial impact, however with Los Colchoneros up against it, he was largely seen chasing lost causes. Tried to hold up the ball on a few occasions but was quickly outnumbered.
MF Raul Garcia (for Griezmann), 6 -- Unlucky not to start, the big man brought a bit more solidity to the middle of the park, in addition to his aerial prowess when defending set pieces.
FW Raul Jimenez (for Gabi), NR -- Sent on in the aftermath of conceding the goal, he had little time to make an impact.