Atletico find a FOURTH GEAR
Malaga (Spain), April 2: Atletico Madrid leapfrogged Sevilla into third place in La Liga as goals from Koke and Filipe Luis secured a 2-0 win at struggling Malaga on Saturday.
In a game of few chances, Atletico were by a distance the more clinical side to register a fourth straight La Liga win.
“We didn’t make mistakes and when we got our chance in the second-half, Filipe finished it fantastically,” said Atletico boss Diego Simeone.
Malaga remain winless in three games under new coach Michel to remain just six points above the drop zone.
The hosts’ struggles were summed up by a lack of punch in front of goal despite dominating possession for long spells.
Koke sent an early warning when his low effort from 25 yards was well held by Carlos Kameni.
However, the Spanish international netted for the second straight league game when he latched onto Fernando Torres’s turn at the edge of the box to prod home from close range.
Earlier, Villarreal and Real Sociedad once again slipped up in the fight for European places.
Sociedad edged a point ahead of Villarreal in fifth despite being held 11 at home by Leganes.
Villarreal surrendered an early lead as Eibar maintained their hopes of qualifying for Europe for the first time with an impressive 3-2 win at El Madrigal.
Three points now separate fifth and eighth as Athletic Bilbao were also 2-1 victors at rock-bottom Osasuna thanks to goals from Ariz Adur and Inari Williams.
Sevilla slip yet again An unsettling week for Sevilla ended with another disappointing result as they were held 0-0 at home by Sporting Gijon, leaving them fourth in La Liga on Sunday.
In the wake of Sporting director Monchi’s decision to leave the club after 17 years, Sevilla boss Jorge Sampaoli cast doubt on his future before kick-off with Argentina reportedly interested in hiring him to salvage their floundering World Cup qualifying campaign.
However, Sampaoli’s stock has fallen in recent weeks as Sevilla’s winless run stretched to five games in all competitions despite dominating for 95 minutes at the Sanchez Pizjuan.
Steven N’Zonzi had the hosts best chance when he blazed wildly off target 11 minutes from time.
A point, though, means Sevilla remain behind Atletico Madrid in fourth due to the Madrid outfit’s better head-tohead record.
A draw is far more valuable for Sporting at the other end of the table as they move to within five points of safety in 18th.