Mueez Ajao
– Atletico Madrid beat city rivals and La Liga champions Real Madrid to put themselves on the verge of qualifying for the Champions League.
– With the title wrapped up, Real made seven changes following their dramatic win over Manchester City on Wednesday.
– Atletico started strongly and Yannick Carrasco converted what proved to be the winner from the penalty spot after Matheus Cunha was brought down.
Also Read: Simeone says Atletico Madrid have “four finals” to secure Champions League spot
– Diego Simeone’s side remain fourth, six points clear of Real Betis in fifth.
– The Atletico boss roused the crowd with his arms as last season’s title winners held on to a win that puts them just one point behind third-placed Sevilla.
– The hosts missed chances to double their lead, with Angel Correa firing wide early on and Cunha seeing his shot saved after great work by Antoine Griezmann.
– Griezmann and Carrasco also combined superbly in the box but the France forward fired wide of Andriy Lunin’s goal, before Carrasco struck the inside of the near post moments later.
– Real Madrid improved when Vinicius Junior was introduced in the second half and the Brazil forward’s driving run set up a good opportunity for Marco Asensio, which was blocked.
– Substitute Federico Valverde twice tested Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak in the end-to-end encounter at the Wanda Metropolitano.
– Carlo Ancelotti’s champions have three more league games to play before meeting Liverpool in the Champions League final on 28 May in Paris.
