VALLECAS, Spain —
Joao Felix’s superb pass set up Koke’s winner
as Atletico Madrid jumped to third in La Liga on Saturday with a 1–0 win over
Rayo Vallecano.
اضافة اعلان
With Barcelona playing
Real Madrid in the Clasico on Sunday,
Atletico took advantage at Vallecas, their fifth consecutive victory giving
them some breathing space in the fight for the top four.
They had to see out the last nine minutes with 10 men after Angel
Correa, on as a substitute, was sent off. But just as they did against Manchester
United on Tuesday in the
Champions League, Atletico dug in and held on.
They now have a five-point lead over Real Betis in fifth and sit
three ahead of Barcelona in fourth, even if Betis have one game in hand and
Barca two.
Diego Simeone’s side certainly head into the international break
with momentum for the run-in, after rounding off an excellent seven days that
began with victory against Cadiz before knocking out United.
The draw on Friday ensured the reward for that result will be a
meeting with
Manchester City in the last eight and while Atletico will be clear
underdogs against the reigning Premier League champions, they are also building
form and confidence at just the right time.
“I think we have found the key, we have increased the intensity,
the team is playing better and that’s reflected in the results,” said Koke.
“We have grown together,” added Simeone.
Felix has been key, this his seventh goal or assist in his last
seven matches, the 22-year-old repaying Simeone’s faith while
Luis Suarez again
started on the bench.
This was the sixth consecutive game Suarez has been named as a
substitute and, with the quicker, more agile pairing of Felix and Antoine
Griezmann up front, Atletico have hit their stride.
Rayo stay 12th, after making it 10 league games without a victory.
They were in contention for the European spots only a few weeks ago but now sit
just eight points above the relegation places.
Felix was at the heart of the decisive moment in the 49th minute
as Koke collected on the edge of the area and played inside to the Portuguese.
As Rayo’s defense turned to Felix, nobody spotted Koke continuing
his run, except the forward, who slid the ball through first time for Koke to
curl in the finish.
Griezmann should have made it two but was denied by a close-range
save from
Stole Dimitrievski and Atletico were almost undone when Oscar
Valentin’s driven cross found Randy Nteka free five yards out. Somehow Nteka
skewed over.
Correa
was sent off in the 85th minute for what appeared to be an altercation with
Rayo’s Alejandro Catena and Rayo went close in injury-time, after Dimitrievski
was sent up for a corner. The ball dropped loose for Ivan Balliu and he shot
low, but straight at Jan Oblak.
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