Madrid (AFP)

With two goals from his young Portuguese nugget Joao Felix (20), back from suspension, Atlético Madrid stripped Osasuna 5-0 on Wednesday for the 29th day of La Liga and begins to glimpse the gates of the Champions League.

Discussed, criticized, but present when necessary: ​​the young attacking midfielder Joao Felix, the most expensive rookie in the history of the Colchoneros last summer (126 M EUR) but who went through a complicated season, proved with this recovery in cannonball full skylight (27th) and this second easy goal (56th) Wednesday, that he could become the master of playing an Atlético in "Champions League mission".

Marcos Llorente (79th), Alvaro Morata (81st), and Yannick Carrasco (88th), blow after blow, sealed the great victory of the "rojiblancos", their biggest victory this season.

The Madrid residents have long struggled with efficiency before goal this season, but have scored five times in six strikes on target at Pamplona.

And Joao Felix (6 goals in 21 La Liga matches this season), a pioneer, had already scored twice in his last three appearances before the forced three-month break, against Villarreal and Seville.

Victim of a slight sprain in his left knee at the end of May, the Portuguese, suspended for the return of Atlético to the field on Sunday in Bilbao, returned full of energy this Wednesday, with his first double in La Liga.

- "Great Hope" -

Joao Felix had trouble entering his match, but offered some bright actions, like this number in the area against Unai Garcia (42nd) who almost turned into a decisive pass for Angel Correa.

"He crossed the obligatory path of the footballer: a great season, an injury, on his return he was not at the same level ... He really started his season when he came back against Villarreal, Sevilla and Liverpool. is young, and we are hopeful that he will be decisive for the team, "coach Diego Simeone said at a press conference on Tuesday.

Associated in attack with Diego Costa, the duo were sharp and Atlético dominated collectively, in the vein of their good match in Bilbao which had not led to the expected result (1-1).

More attractive than usual, the rojiblancos took the fold of their tandem of attack, in the wake of a Diego Costa very active in the surface (8th, 20th, 25th), and who transmitted an offering to his Portuguese teammate for his double (56th).

A great operation on the field, and also in the classification: thanks to this success, the Madrilenians temporarily double Real Sociedad and Getafe and go back to 4th place in the championship, two points behind 3rd, Sevilla FC, which receives the leader Barça Friday.

© 2020 AFP