After their surprise defeat against the red lantern Levante (1-0) on Wednesday, the people of Madrid recovered on Saturday thanks to Joao Felix: the Portuguese opened the scoring after a badly cleared corner in the 3rd minute, then launched in depth Luis Suarez, who doubled the bet with a fabulous curved strike from 40 meters (59th), before the 3-0 signed Angel Correa at the end of the match (89th).

A flattering score, however, because the men of Diego Simeone, struggling since December, were largely hooked by the Navarrese, who notably touched the right post of Jan Oblak in the 39th, on a header from Ante Budimir.

But the Colchoneros took advantage of the clumsiness of goalkeeper Sergio Herrera, author of a bad outing and guilty of clearing the ball at the feet of Joao Felix in the 3rd minute.

Then badly placed on the express revival of the young Portuguese prodigy which Uruguayan center-forward Luis Suarez took advantage of after returning from the locker room.

Atlético Madrid striker Angel Correa scores on the Osasuna pitch on February 19, 2022 in Pamplona ANDER GILLENEA AFP

Griezmann on the bench

A brushed strike from the left of 40 meters which blew Diego Simeone: the Argentinian technician took his head in his hands and waved his fingers, impressed by the gesture of the veteran "Pistolero".

French international Antoine Griezmann, back from injury, was kept on the bench for the whole match.

He warmed up in the second half, but did not come on.

This success greatly reassures the Colchoneros, who had only two wins in the last seven matches before this Saturday (4 losses and a draw), and who had notably been slapped by Barça at Camp Nou (4-2) ago. two weeks.

Atlético Madrid striker Luis Suarez scores on the Osasuna pitch on February 19, 2022 in Pamplona ANDER GILLENEA AFP

Reassuring in defense especially: Jan Oblak kept his clean sheet for the first time since January 6 in the King's Cup (5-0 against Rayo Majadahonda), date from which Atlético had conceded 16 goals in 7 matches.

The Colchorenos thus temporarily return to the qualifying places for the Champions League, three points ahead of Barça, which travels Sunday (4:15 p.m.) to Valencia.

Real in diesel mode

But the Colchoneros nevertheless remain fifteen points behind Real Madrid, timid winner of Alavés on Saturday evening.

The joy of the people of Madrid who have just scored against Alaves, on February 19, 2022 at the Santiago-Bernabeu stadium OSCAR DEL POZO AFP

Four days after their 1-0 defeat in Paris in the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League, Real recovered thanks to a nice goal from Marco Asensio, with a curled shot from the left from the entrance to the area ( 62nd), and a superb collective goal involving a heel from Karim Benzema, a blind throw from Asensio, and a finish from Vinicius (80th).

And the French captain of Real even sealed the victory on penalty in the 90th + 1, after a foul by French defender Florian Lejeune on Vinicius in the box.

Three goals that brought smiles to the Santiago-Bernabéu in the last half hour.

Because before, the merengue supporters let filter a few whistles to denounce the poverty of the game proposed by the men in white.

Asensio also asked the fans to change their whistles to encouragement during the celebration of his goal.

And even the placid Carlo Ancelotti, who asked his bench and his staff to keep calm after the initial goal, himself let his joy explode after the magnificent second collective goal.

Real Madrid midfielder Marco Asensio during the match against Alaves on February 19, 2022 at the Santiago-Bernabeu stadium OSCAR DEL POZO AFP

A success that allows the Merengues to take a seven-point lead over their first pursuer, Sevilla FC, who face Espanyol Barcelona on Sunday (2:00 p.m.).

And a reassuring return to the Bernabéu, just over two weeks from the round of 16 second leg of C1 against PSG.

© 2022 AFP