Barcelona miss chance to top UCL with Atalanta draw

Europa League champions Atalanta missed out on an automatic place in the Champions League last 16 with a 2-2 draw at Barcelona on Wednesday, with Lamine Yamal and Ronald Araujo scoring for the already-qualified hosts.

Atalanta, who were missing one of their top strikers Ademola Lookman because of a knee injury, slipped down to ninth in the standings on 15 points and will play in the two-legged knockout phase playoff round instead. Despite their strong performances throughout the group stage, the Italian side found themselves unable to capitalize on key moments that could have secured their automatic qualification. Now, they must prepare for a challenging playoff round against formidable opposition.

Five-time winners Barcelona, who last lifted the trophy in 2015, had already secured their last-16 berth last week through a dramatic 5-4 comeback win at Benfica. The Spanish giants showed resilience throughout the league phase, but their inconsistency in defense has raised concerns as they head into the knockout rounds. Manager Hansi Flick acknowledged both the positives and areas needing improvement in his post-match assessment.

"The result was OK," said Barcelona manager Hansi Flick. "We played against an opponent with a very good team, a great philosophy, the style they play. We have the confidence to make things a little different in the second half. The first goal was like that, it was good to see the team follow that.

"Of course really happy, we finish second, which is the first step in the Champions League. It's a big success for the team to finish second. We must now focus on preparing well for the challenges ahead."

Yamal gave Barcelona the lead two minutes after the break from point-blank range, finishing off a well-worked move that saw him perfectly positioned to tap in a low cross. The young star continues to impress with his composure and ability to influence crucial moments for his team. However, Atalanta quickly regrouped and responded, with Ederson leveling for Atalanta in the 67th minute. His stunning shot from the edge of the area sailed inside the left post, leaving the Barcelona defense flat-footed and goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen with no chance.

Defender Araujo restored the lead for Barca with a powerful header following a corner in the 72nd minute, showcasing his aerial prowess and ability to contribute on both ends of the pitch. Yet, just when Barcelona seemed to be regaining control, Atalanta’s Mario Pasalic struck again seven minutes later. With exceptional composure, he nutmegged goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny with a low strike, ensuring that the Italian side left with a valuable point and keeping their European hopes alive.

"The only thing is we can defend better as a team," Flick said. "We have to analyse everything and make it better. We have to work on some things and we have the potential to do even more -- and now we will have some weeks to work in training [with no knockout round games]." His comments reflect growing concerns about Barcelona’s defensive lapses, which have been evident in multiple fixtures this season. While their attacking prowess remains intact, their backline will need significant tightening if they hope to go deep into the tournament.

Atalanta, who had to measure themselves against teams such as Arsenal and Real Madrid in the competition's new league phase, demonstrated resilience throughout the campaign. They will now await their playoff rivals in the draw on Friday, with the games being played on Feb. 11-12 and Feb. 18-19. As they gear up for the crucial encounters ahead, the Italian side will look to regroup, refine their strategies, and ensure they capitalize on the opportunity to progress further in the competition.