Big win in round 27, Atletico accelerates to chase Barca

Three days after their victory at the Bernabeu, Atletico Madrid continued to impress fans by beating Sociedad 3-0.

Atletico Madrid is in stable form, not inferior to Barca. Photo: Reuters

Goals: Diego Reyes 8' own goal, Saul 48', Griezmann 61' penalty

Against traditional rivals Real Sociedad, Atletico easily proved that they were a level above. The home team soon received a gift from an own goal by Diego Reyes, before young talent Saul Niguez doubled the gap early in the second half. After scoring the decisive goal against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu last weekend, Antoine Griezmann continued his good form with a penalty kick and successful kick in the 61st minute.

With a win in round 27, Atletico put pressure on the leading team Barca by reducing the gap to five points. Barca will restore the gap of eight points if they win against Rayo Vallecano in the latest match on the evening of March 4.

Sociedad are not a weak team. In their last five games, they have earned 13 points. Sociedad were even unbeaten throughout February and conceded only one goal. Therefore, Atletico's victory is even more convincing.

The home team were particularly successful in this match with their crosses. From such a situation in the eighth minute, Koke forced Diego Reyes to touch the ball into his own net to open the scoring. In the 46th minute, Saul Niguez successfully took advantage of another cross to volley home to double the lead.

Due to defensive errors, Sociedad's comeback efforts soon went up in smoke. In the 61st minute, Alberto de la Bella pushed Griezmann down in the penalty area, creating a penalty for the opposing striker to seal the victory.

In this match, goalkeeper Jan Oblak continued to be excellent when he did not allow Sociedad to score an honorary goal. This is the fifth consecutive match that this goalkeeper has kept a clean sheet against Atletico.

With the victory over Sociedad, the home team at Vicente Calderon also had their third victory in the last four times they played in La Liga. Coach Diego Simeone and his team are just waiting for Barca to stumble to continue to bring excitement to the race.

*La Liga standings.

Atletico don't have superstars but play as well as the top teams.

According to VNE