Madrid (AFP)

Atlético Madrid corrected the red lantern Eibar 5-0 Sunday during the 33rd day of the Spanish Championship, and consolidated its first place in the standings three points ahead of Real Madrid, held in check 0-0 by Getafe in the absence of many executives.

Without Luis Suarez or Joao Felix (injured), the "Colchoneros" took place with an express double from the Argentinian Angel Correa (42nd, 44th), another from Marcos Llorente (53rd, 68th), and a goal from Yannick Carrasco ( 49th), for a "manita" (five goals) which pushes Eibar a little more.

Like Zinédine Zidane, Diego Simeone had to scratch his head to put together a team.

But even without superstars, his eleven recited his football in the second period after a sluggish start to the match, against the modest Eibar, who did not strike once on goal throughout the meeting ... and who chained a 14th unsuccessful row match in La Liga.

The first big opportunity was however Basque, with an overflow from Alejandro Pozo (18th) and a cross for the Bayonnais Kevin Rodrigues, barely too short to take it back in front of Jan Oblak.

It will be the only fear of the day for the "Rojiblancos".

With an Angel Correa still there in the right place, to take a deflected ball from a corner at the far post on his first goal (42nd), or to score in pivot two minutes later (44th), the Madrilenians had nothing to fear. .

Note that the French striker Moussa Dembélé played half an hour at the end of the match, only his 5th game of the season under the "rojiblanco" jersey, the 3rd in La Liga.

A success and a great relief for the Colchoneros (1st, 70 pts), under the pressure of Real Madrid (2nd, 67 pts) and FC Barcelona (3rd, 65 pts), crowned in the Copa del Rey on Saturday night (4-0 against Athletic Bilbao) and which will catch up with its match of the 33rd day on Thursday April 29 against Granada.

- Thank you Courtois -

Real side, point of serenity: Zinédine Zidane had to tinker with an eleven as he could on Sunday night, having to deal with the eight absent and young hopes of the reserve team to fill the bench.

Sergio Ramos, Raphaël Varane, Fede Valverde (Covid-19), Lucas Vazquez, Eden Hazard, Dani Carvajal (injured), Nacho and Casemiro (suspended) ... All of his executives could not help their team to report better than 'a shy 0-0 from the neighboring lawn of Getafe on Sunday evening.

Karim Benzema, who suffered a blow to an ankle on Wednesday, did not come into play until the 65th minute in place of Mariano, and Toni Kroos remained on the bench.

The "Merengues" were dominated by the attractive formation of José Bordalas, and the only clear opportunity for the men of "Zizou" was this goal from Mariano canceled early in the match (8th) for a contentious offside position.

On the contrary, the "White House" can thank its Belgian doorman Thibaut Courtois.

The goalkeeper held the clean white cage by multiplying the rescues of high class, like this reflex stop from the 6th minute, this flight and this stop hand opposite on a strike of Enes Unal in the 59th, and this saving tap at the 79th.

As a result, Getafe ended the game with regrets.

Real Madrid, for their part, have lost two precious points in order to retain their national title ... and pray to see their injured back very quickly.

Villarreal, for his part, also split a flamboyant "manita" against Levante (5-1) to regain 5th place at Betis Seville, hung by Valencia (2-2).

© 2021 AFP