Liga, Atletico are champions: Real Madrid wins but it is not enough

The Colchoneros return to winning the title seven years after the last time. The Blancos comeback against Villarreal but that’s not enough. In the Europa League Real Sociedad and Betis

From our correspondent Filippo Maria Ricci

may 22
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After seven years, the ‘Cholo’ did it again. Atletico managed to break the iron barça-Madrid duopoly by winning their eleventh Liga. The last 3 bear the signature of Simeone: in ’96 the ‘Cholo’ played, in 2014 he trained.

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Victory and defeat

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La Liga number 90 was decided in the last 90 minutes played this afternoon: Atletico had 2 points ahead of Madrid and depended on themselves. Since suffering is fundamental in Atletico’s DNA, as in the penultimate day the colchoneros went under and recovered with the goals of Correa and Suarez reaching the 2-1 final against Ronaldo Nazario’s Valladolid, relegated to Segunda without being able to give a gift to himself himself and his friend Florentino Perez. Madrid were busy in Valdebebas against Emery’s Villarreal who will play the Europa League final in Poland with United on Wednesday. The Yellow Submarine honored the commitment: little turnover, advantage, late and useless comeback of Madrid.

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Escape and fear

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Atletico took the lead on Matchday 12, scored 50 points in their first 19 matches, had 10 more lengths and one game down against Madrid on Matchday 21 but needed the last 90 minutes to get their hands on. on La Liga. Because it slowed down, was hit by Covid and injuries and was held back by a long panic attack that started in early February and lasted until this afternoon. Decisive the 21 goals of Luis Suarez, given in a wicked way to the team of the Metropolitano from Barcelona. And then the parades of Oblak, the imperial defense of Savic, the race of Marcos Llorente and Trippier, the talent of Carrasco and Correa, the leadership of Captain Koke, the three-man defense invented by Cholo. Only the dearest Joao Felix was missing, who closed the Liga on the bench. In the return Atletico lost to Levante, Sevilla and Athletic but drew with Madrid and at the Camp Nou, a 0-0 that effectively eliminated Barcelona from the lead scorer Messi, 30 goals.

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Athletic suicide

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Fear froze Atletico’s legs. Madrid’s corner, Valladolid’s goal: Carrasco’s mistake and Sergio’s team’s wonderful counterattack, three touches and a precise shot by Madrid’s Oscar Plano. It was the 18 minute. The defeat, however, left Atletico in the lead because Madrid were drawing in Valdebebas.

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White Suicide

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And on the 20 ‘he even went under, suffering a beautiful net from the 18-year-old Yeremi Pino caught in the area by Gerard Moreno. Same distance of 2 points at the top of La Liga, and general bewilderment. Madrid made the first shot between the posts in the 45th minute, Casemiro’s harmless head, and had only one chance, wasted by Modric. Same situation for Atletico who was about to find equal with an own goal from El Yamiq and on the resulting corner Felipe headed a ball destined for better luck. Luis Suarez thrown by Saul kicked well, but Kiko Olivas deflected his shot for a corner. That’s all.

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Goals and offside

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The second moment of cross drama comes between 55 ‘and 57’: in Valdebebas Benzema equalized with a great header from Casemiro’s cross. He is suspected of offside, and while the images are being analyzed in the Vor room, in Valladolid ‘Angelito’ Correa invented a phenomenal draw: two men missed and a shot at the corner. Double ‘colchonero’ celebration, because Benzema’s goal is canceled, with Atletico now having a 3-point advantage over their rivals.

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Error and goals

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The third intersection is the decisive one. Minutes 66 ‘and 67’: Rulli gives the ball to Benzema and the Frenchman kicks out from an excellent position. A Zorrilla is Guardiola who involuntarily serves Suarez, who flies alone and with his left beats a former Barça like him, Jordi Masip. For the Pistolero 21 goals in Liga, the last two very heavy.

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Useless comeback

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In the final in Valdebebas, Madrid recovered with the goals of Benzema and Modric, the second arrived when Atletico began their big party in Valladolid: suffering, puffing, struggling, the ‘Cholo’ team deservedly got their hands on La Liga.

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