Atletico top Valladolid, continue pursuit of Real Madrid

30.04.2023 - 23:07 arabnews.com

MADRID: Atletico Madrid won’t slow down in their pursuit of Real Madrid for second place in the Spanish league. Atletico continued their strong push on Sunday by picking up their eighth win in nine matches with a 5-2 victory at Valladolid.

Third-place Atletico scored three times in the first half and added two late goals in a result that kept Diego Simeone’s team two points behind city rival Madrid with six rounds remaining.

Madrid beat Almeria 4-2 on Saturday at home. Second place is especially important because it guarantees a spot in the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia.

Atletico’s only recent setback was a 1-0 loss at leaders Barcelona at Camp Nou two rounds ago. Barcelona beat Real Betis 4-0 at home on Saturday and has a comfortable 11-point lead over Madrid entering the final stretch. “We have good momentum, we’ve been competing very well,” Atletico defender José María Giménez said. “There is still a lot of league left and we have to stay on this path.” Atletico scored through Nahuel Molina in the 20th minute, Gimenez in the 24th, Alvaro Morata in the 38th, an own-goal by Joaquín Fernández in the 86th and Memphis Depay in stoppage time.

soccer Napoli Atletico Madrid Diego Simeone Nahuel Molina Spain Brazil Saudi Arabia Newcastle Memphis

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