Ferran Torres grabbed the only goal of the game as the Blaugrana's No.9 again struggled as his poor 2023 form shows no sign of improving

It was momentarily getting a little bit nervous in Barcelona. Heading into Sunday's fixture with Atletico Madrid, the Blaugrana were winless in three and hadn't scored in nearly 500 minutes. Their La Liga lead was eight points, an advantage that could prove to be thin if Real Madrid found form.

But any notions of a potential bottling were quashed by a professional performance at Camp Nou. Robert Lewandowski was once again wasteful, but Ferran Torres bagged a crucial goal, while the Blaugrana relied on an excellent defensive showing to see off third-placed Atleti with a 1-0 win.

Torres opened the scoring for the Blaugrana just before half time. He received the ball on the edge of the box with plenty of time to pick his spot, and dutifully passed Raphinha's cross into the bottom corner.

Barcelona went about their second half by steadily avoiding the goal. Gavi missed twice, Raphinha couldn't find the net from three yards out, and Lewandowski, meanwhile, continued his miserable run in front of goal, firing wide while clean through and lacking the instincts in front of goal that have so regularly defined his game.

Things were tight enough defensively that Barcelona weren't made to pay. Ronald Araujo turned in another classy performance, while Marc-Andre ter Stegen was reliable enough to ensure the Blaugrana steadied a suddenly wavering season.

GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from Camp Nou…

WINNER: Ferran Torres

Xavi's faith in the Spain striker is puzzling. Torres has never really hit his stride in a Barcelona shirt, and it was odd to see him included in the line up here.

However, what seemed to be a risk turned out a masterstroke from the manager.

Torres' opener was a classic piece of striker's play, with the former Manchester City man perfectly delaying his run before receiving Raphinha's pass and finding the bottom corner with ease.

His goal will take the headlines, but he was solid throughout here. Barca needed some intensity against a typically chippy Atleti side, and Torres provided it. Pedri's return to full fitness will surely see the winger removed from the line up, but he took his chance when offered.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesLOSER: Robert Lewandowski

As one attacking player thrived, another stuttered.

Lewandowski hasn't been at his best for some time now, and it was another forgettable showing here. The 34-year-old looks like a player trying to do too much. He rushed shots, mistimed his passes, and was caught offside once or twice.

There was one particularly egregious moment when the Poland captain ran through on goal with Jan Oblak caught in no man's land. He could have either squared to an open Raphinha or whipped the ball into the far corner. And he did either, slicing his effort a few yards wide — much to the chagrin of his team-mate.

Lewandowski will surely come good again; the best goalscorers always find their rhythm. But it's just not working for him right now. Barcelona are fortunate that his cold spell has come with the title more or less wrapped up.

Getty ImagesWINNER: Xavi

After three games without a win, Xavi needed to turn things around today. And he did just that.

Some of his selection choices were bold. Selecting Torres over Ansu Fati and putting Marcos Alonso at centre-back raised a few eyebrows before kick off, but he got his personnel exactly right, and his side never really looked troubled.

Xavi will likely be disappointed that his side didn't win by more here. They missed a handful of good chances to extend their 1-0 lead, and on another day could have won 4-0. But his team was reliable enough at the other end to ensure that they weren't made to rue the litany of unsuccessful attempts.

Eighteen months after accepting the job, the club legend will likely be lifting the league trophy in a few weeks. That's not a bad turnaround for a team that was going nowhere when he took over.

Getty ImagesLOSER: Diego Simeone

Here was a chance for some El Cholo magic.

Heading into this clash, Atleti had won each of their last six games while playing some surprisingly expansive football in recent weeks. It all looked like a recipe to snag an unlikely Camp Nou win.

But Simeone's side were thoroughly beaten here — despite the scoreline suggesting otherwise.

Antoine Griezmann rattled the bar early, and forced some neat saves out of Ter Stegen, but they were otherwise toothless in attack.

At the other end, they were uncharacteristically disorganised, and conceded a preventable goal to an out-of-form player.

By the end of it all, Simeone's side were back to the fouling and diving team that had seen some call for the manager to step down in 2022.

He is yet to win at Camp Nou, with this his 16th visit as Atletico boss. Perhaps the legendary coach's voodoo is running out.