Luis Suárez sinks Athletic Bilbao to send nervy Atlético Madrid six points clear
For the first time since the opening day of the season 187 days ago, Spain’s top three have all played the same number of games, and Atlético Madrid’s lead has increased to six points over Barcelona and eight over Real Madrid with 12 games to go. And this time it is real, rather than virtual.
The last of their games in hand was at last played at the Wanda Metropolitano on Wednesday, Marcos Llorente and Luis Suárez scoring to secure a win against Athletic Bilbao but they had to overcome an early deficit and late anxiety to prevail.
Having dropped four points in 12 days at the start of February and then seen a victory in the derby against Real Madrid slip through their fingers in the 88th minute on Sunday, the pressure was on for Atlético. Victory then would have virtually eliminated Real from the title race and re-established their cushion over Barcelona; instead, it left Atlético vulnerable and regretting another opportunity lost, unable to rid themselves of their pursuers.
This was their last extra life and they began with the intention of using it, dominating possession and on the front foot. Control though was one thing, chances were another. And as they struggled to find spaces and real openings they were hit, which they have been too often lately. Óscar de Marcos’s wonderful pass found its way through a crowd of players to set Iñaki Williams free into the right side of the area and he turned the ball back towards the penalty spot. If the contact from Iker Muniain wasn’t particularly clean, it was enough.
That was Athletic’s first shot, 20 minutes in, and they took over. Muniain so well, and timing the run perfectly, which he does even better, was Llorente. Ducking slightly, determined as ever, he headed Atlético level. His was the last touch of the first half and the response spoke of the relief, Diego Simeone sprinting down the tunnel, fists clenched. He would do the same at the final whistle.
This was different now. Very soon, it was very different. A familiar sequence brought a familiar conclusion. Kieran Trippier to Llorente to Suárez, goal – even if his time it had to come via the penalty spot. Just like on Sunday against Madrid, they combined. This time, Suárez turned back and was brought down by Unai Núñez. From the spot, he scored his 18th goal of the season to put Atlético ahead.
For as long as it was only one, there would be concern. Carrasco came closest to extending that lead, first losing out just as he was turning into the area, then drawing a save from Unai Simón. Then he miscontrolled when Suárez, fed by Trippier, provided him with a perfect ball stood up near the edge of the six-yard box. The chance was gone and so was Suárez, withdrawn immediately after. He was replaced by the defensive midfielder Lucas Torreira, the kind of decision with a habit of rebounding against managers. It felt like an invitation to Athletic to attack and they took it as one.
What followed may not have been a siege exactly, and on the break Ángel Correa and Llorente had minor opportunities, but it was enough for there to be nerves, the fear that it could happen again. As Núñez stretched for Álex Belenguer’s inswinging cross in the 88th minute, it looked dangerously like it might and that was only the first of three heart-stopping moments.
On 92 minutes, Núñez had a free header from seven yards but put it straight at Jan Oblak, and then with the last touch of the night the keeper had to dive through a crowd to punch the last of Atlético’s fears away and leave them standing clear at the summit.