Atletico Madrid took a big step towards the La Liga title after beating Real Sociedad on Wednesday. Simeone's side were relentless and Carrasco and Correa gave them a two goal lead inside the opening half an hour. Sociedad came into the game and had glorious chances at the back end of the first half, but they dropped off after the break. Atletico looked to be cruising until Sociedad scored towards the end and tension then set in, but Atletico just about managed to hang on.
Atletico are now four points ahead of Barcelona and five clear of Real Madrid who play in Granada on Thursday. If Zidane's men fail to win, Simeone's men will be in a very strong position going into the last two games. Real Sociedad remain 5th on 56 points and still look good for a Europa League spot, but this results kept the likes of Villarreal and Celta Vigo interested.
The home side came flying out the blocks and could have scored three times in the first 10 minutes. First, Luis Suarez blazed over the bar after Marcos Llorente picked him out unmarked in the box, then the Uruguayan hit wide from a free-kick and finally, Llorente was denied by goalkeeper Alex Remiro in a one on one situation. However, Sociedad's resistance was finally broken after just 16 minutes.
An Atletico corner was taken short and after a number of passes, Llorente passed to Yannick Carrasco who controlled and then hit through the legs of Remiro. Simeone's men took their foot off the pedal after the goal and Barrenetxea hit a shot at Oblak in the 19th minute, but Atletico soon doubled their advantage.
In the 28th minute, Luis Suarez picked up a loose ball and passed to Angel Correa to his right and he ran into the box before firing across the keeper into the far corner. It was a mayor setback for the Basques, but they actually then looked the more dangerous for the rest of the half.
Zubimendi found Guridi in the area and his pass was touch by Barrenetzea to set up Isak, but the Swede's shot was straight at goalkeeper Jan Oblak. Then, seven minutes before the break, Isak had an even better chance after quick play between Barrenetxea, Oyarzabal and Isak saw Isak shoot and Oblak make an outstanding stop onto the post and see Atletico keep a two goal lead going into the interval.
May 12, 2021
Sociedad surprisingly took off Isak at the interval when he was their most dangerous player and he did not seem to be injured. Sociedad clearly noted his absence as the Basques looked much less threatening going forward. In fact, Atletico had several chances to score again.
Luis Suarez should have scored after 50 minutes after Oyarzabal was dispossessed, but the former Liverpool man hit straight at the keeper. Then, on the hour mark, Carrasco should have teed up Luis Suarez to score, but the Belgian did not spot him and hit wide from a tight angle. Then, 15 minutes from time, Suarez spurned yet another chance after being played in by Llorente.
The away side sent hopeful balls into the box, but Atletico looked comfortable. They did have chances though such as when Christian Portu forced a top save out of Oblak after Jon Bautista flicked on a corner, Then, the away side had a triple chance when Portu hit the post, Bautista was denied by Savic and Merquelanz blazed over the rebound.
There was a late twist though as Sociedad pulled one back when Martin Merquelanz's corner went through Jon Bautista's legs and Igor Zubeldia hit past Oblak. That set up a nervy finish which saw Sociedad throw everyone forward, but Atletico held on to take three valuable points.