Madrid (AFP)

In their last match before Christmas, Atlético Madrid won the top-flight duel against their pursuer Real Sociedad 2-0 on Tuesday for the 15th day of La Liga, and pass only leader in front of Real Madrid, who face Granada on Wednesday.

In the absence of Joao Felix, hit in the ribs and reduced by nasopharyngitis, it is a goal from the head of the Spanish international central defender Mario Hermoso, on a corner (49th), followed by another from the left of Marcos Llorente on a withdrawal of Luis Suarez (74th), which allowed the Madrilenians to take the lead and strengthen their first place in the standings.

The continuity of a superb start to the season: although they provisionally have one match of disbursements on Real Madrid (2nd, 29 pts), and three on Real Sociedad (3rd, 26 pts in 16 matches), the Colchoneros sit their dominance over the Spanish league, with a ninth victory over the last ten league games (and only one defeat in the derby against Real Madrid, 2-0).

But this poster at the top between the leader and one of his most serious pursuers was marked by absences.

The two best players of each camp could not take part in the meeting: the Portuguese prodigy Joao Felix on the Madrid side, and the Spanish captain and international striker Mikel Oyarzabal on the Basque side, injured in the back of the right thigh, but who remains one of La Liga's top scorers with 7 goals in 11 matches.

For Real Sociedad, this new setback is synonymous with a serious setback: after having signed a good series of six consecutive successes at the start of the season, the players of Imanol Alguacil are skating, and there is an 8th match in a row. without victory in all competitions since the end of November.

Saturday evening (22:00), FC Barcelona will have the opportunity to continue its rise in the standings on the relegation field (18th, 14 pts) Valladolid: the Catalans fell one row to 6th place at the start of the evening, doubled by Sevilla, winner 1-0 on the ground of Valencia thanks to a goal of Suso (81st).

Results of the 15th day:

Tuesday 22 December (in GMT hours)

Elche - Osasuna 2 - 2

Valencia - Seville 0 - 1

Real Sociedad - Atlético Madrid 0 - 2

Huesca - Levante 1 - 1

(9:00 p.m.) Villarreal - Athletic Bilbao

Valladolid - Barcelona

Wednesday 23 December (in GMT hours)

(4.30 p.m.) Getafe - Celta Vigo

(6:45 p.m.) Real Madrid - Granada

(9:00 p.m.) Alavés - Eibar

Real Betis - Cadiz

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