Atletick on in Spain
Atletico on the cusp of La Liga glory after Sociedad win Rowe exploits Jorginho blunder as Arsenal win
Madrid, May 13: Atletico Madrid held their nerve to beat Real Sociedad 2-1 on Wednesday and move within touching distance of winning La Liga.
Yannick Carrasco and Angel Correa made a dominant first half count for Atletico, who retreated in the second and were left hanging on after Igor Zubeldia blasted in for La Real with seven minutes left.
When the final whistle blew, Diego Simeone jogged up the tunnel at the Wanda Metropolitano, punching the air as he went, fully aware how important this result could prove.
“We were excellent in the first half but the suffering was unnecessary when we had so many chances,” Simeone said.
Outside, Atleti fans had gathered to cheer and sing throughout a nervy contest and when victory was confirmed, fireworks filled the sky.
“We thank all those who are outside tonight and all those who can’t come because of everything that is happening,” said Atletico captain Koke. “We could hear them outside when we needed them in the last 10 minutes.”
Victory puts Atletico four points clear of Barcelona in the table and five ahead of Real Madrid, with Zinedine Zidane’s side playing their game in hand away at Granada on Thursday.
It also raises the possibility of Atletico winning the title in the penultimate round on Sunday when they play at home to Osasuna.
Another victory this weekend would knock Barca out of the race regardless of what the Catalans do against Celta Vigo while Real Madrid would also concede if they had not taken six points from Granada and Sunday’s trip to Athletic Bilbao.
Sevilla, in fourth, had earlier edged past Valencia 1-0 but they can no longer overtake Atleti, given their six-point deficit and a losing head-to-head record with the leaders. Youssef En-Nesyri scored his 26th goal of the season at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
The four-horse race is reduced to three and after weeks of various twists and turns, Atletico suddenly appear to have a route to the trophy.
In terms of the table at least, this game against fifth-placed Real Sociedad was their toughest remaining fixture, although Real Valladolid could well be fighting for survival on the final day.
London, May 13: Thomas Tuchel admitted Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat against Arsenal was a “wake-up call” after Emile Smith Rowe punished Jorginho’s blunder to dent the Blues’ bid to finish in the Premier League’s top four.
Midfielder Jorginho was guilty of a woefully misplaced back-pass that ended with Gunners youngster Smith Rowe slotting home early in the first half at Stamford Bridge.
Tuchel’s side were bereft of quality in the final third as they succumbed to only a third defeat in their 26 matches in all competitions.
Chelsea remain in fourth place, but their bid to qualify for next season’s Champions League via a top four finish is now on a knife edge.
They sit six points clear of fifth placed West Ham, who have a game in hand, and seven ahead of sixth placed Liverpool, who could be the biggest threat with two games in hand.
“I don’t know how
Arsenal would have scored if we didn’t give it to them. We scored more or less an own goal, a total gift,” Tuchel said.
PSG MAKE IT TO FRENCH CUP FINAL
Paris Saint-Germain squeaked past Montpellier 6-5 on penalties in Wednesday’s
French Cup semi-final to keep alive their hopes of ending the season with silverware.
Spot kicks were required after the two sides were all square at 2-2 after normal time in Montpellier.
“It was a real cup tie, they’re never easy,” said PSG coach Mauricio Pochettino.