It’s still happening. It looked entirely impossible after a 12-game stretch between February and April that yielded only five wins, but Atlético Madrid has bravely said damn the statistics, damn the xG, damn Florentino Pérez and let Barcelona damn itself.
With Wednesday’s 2-1 win over fifth-place Real Sociedad, Atlético has navigated its most difficult remaining fixture with only 11th-place Osasuna and 18th-place Valladolid to go. Real Madrid, on the other hand, plays 10th-place Granada tomorrow and then ninth-place Athletic Club before finishing against seventh-place Villarreal.
The match was something of a microcosm of Atlético’s season. The first half was a thing of beauty with Yannick Carrasco and Ángel Correa scoring superb goals at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Diego Simeone’s side then entered its shell for the entirety of the second half and almost paid for it with Igor Zubeldia pulling one back in the 83rd minute. Los Colchoneros made due with only 34% possession while La Real landed seven shots on target.
But Atlético’s work was done early, much like how the club has squeezed every bit of value from its run of 15 wins in 16 games between October and January.
The first goal was a combination between two of Atlético’s most important and universally underrated players. The ball over the top was provided by Marcos Llorente, giving him a league-leading 11 assists. The touch and finish by Yannick Carrasco wasn’t bad either, and no player has been more clutch during the run-in than the Belgian.
With Luis Suárez struggling for goals, Carrasco has scored four and provided four in his last seven LaLiga appearances.
GOAL FOR ATLETICO MADRID! ⚪️
The league leaders take an early 1-0 lead with Yannick Carrasco getting on the scoresheet.#AtletiRealSociedad LIVE NOW ⬇️
beIN SPORTS
CONNECT https://t.co/LRYa03w6yI pic.twitter.com/2GTHC5q1Et— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) May 12, 2021
In the 28th minute, Suárez made his mark with a sharp turn and beautiful ball into the path of Ángel Correa. The Argentine drilled his finish inside the far post, giving him eight goals (to go along with 11 assists) on the campaign.
Conexión sudamericana: Correa marca el 2-0 para el Atlético con la asistencia de Luis Suárez ➡️ #AtletiRealSociedad
Sigue el partido en VIVO por beIN SPORTS en Español pic.twitter.com/qBxm2ILOD4— beIN SPORTS Español (@ESbeINSPORTS) May 12, 2021
It was all hands on deck throughout the second 45 for Atlético as the enormity of the first half accomplishment dawned, but Zubeldia’s goal was all Real Sociedad could muster.
⚽️ Igor Zubeldia descuenta para la visita@Atleti 2-1 @RealSociedad #AtletiRealSociedad ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/HaMXljATjr
— beIN SPORTS Español (@ESbeINSPORTS) May 12, 2021
Two more wins and Atlético’s done it. Partido a partido.
You know the drill, @atletienglish fans...
— LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) May 12, 2021
