Atlético Madrid were chosen as the replacement for La Liga rivals Barcelona in a friendly clash with Inter Milan late this week.
Why, though, did the Blaugrana pull out of the fixture?
Joan Laporta and co. originally agreed to the reigning Spanish champions’ participation against Inter, in the African country of Libya.
Those behind the cenes at the Camp Nou, however, recently made the call not to attend.
As per a report from Mundo Deportivo:
‘Barcelona cited security concerns over renewed outbreaks of violence and the threat of civil war in the country, despite a ceasefire being in place since 2020.’
When all was said and done in an entertaining affair at the Benghazi Stadium on Friday evening, it was Diego Simeone’s Atlético who emerged on the right side of the result.
This came after a 1-1 full-time result was followed by a penalty shootout, from which the Rojiblancos triumphed 4-2.
Conor Laird – GSFN
