After FC Barcelona’s success against Getafe earlier in the afternoon, Atlético de Madrid hosted Athletic Club during this 32nd day of La Liga. Diego Simeone’s men were left with seven defeats in their last eight meetings in all competitions and had to bounce back after their setback against Elche this week (3-2). The main objective was clear: to get back into the top 4. Opposite, Athletic Club (9th) had to overthrow the capital’s players to still hope for European qualification at the Metropolitano.
If the Basques started the match delicately, it was they who opened the scoring through Aitor Paredes (23rd). Following a corner, the 25-year-old defender jumped higher than everyone, without trembling in the air. Despite fairly regular possession of the ball on their part, the locals only attempted one shot in the first half. Which caused panic in the capital, since the supporters even dared to whistle at the break. Then, Antoine Griezmann restarted his team (1-1, 49th), before Alexander Sørloth scored a double (2-1, 54th and 3-1, 90+3). Gorka Guruzeta reduced the gap, without changing the outcome of the match (3-2, 90+7th). The locals are therefore in 4th place in the ranking and are putting pressure on Villareal. The Basques are no longer able to survive and remain 9th.
