Atlético Madrid suffered damage on Sunday evening in the battle for the Spanish national title (2-1). On a visit to Athletic Club, the La Liga captain faced a 1-0 deficit for quite some time, after which Stefan Savic seemed to save a point for the visitors fifteen minutes before the end. Just before the end, it was Iñigo Martínez who kept the three points in the Basque Country with a hard header.
Where Real Madrid was unable to win against Real Betis (0-0) on Saturday evening, title competitors Barcelona and Sevilla made no mistake in the battle for the championship on Sunday. The pressure was therefore full on leader Atlético Madrid. At the San Mamés, Diego Simeone’s team struggled to make the game in the first half. The home team was organized well and put a lot of pressure, making it difficult for the visitors to play their own game. The team of trainer Marcelino also received a boost thanks to an early lead. In the ninth minute, it was Alejandro Berenguer who scored from close range with the head after a measured cross from Ander Capa’s right flank.
The visitors hardly managed to become dangerous in the first half. Atlético Madrid occasionally handed out pinpricks, but no more than that. Angel Correa was the most dangerous man on the side of the LaLiga leader. He got the best opportunity after he cleared himself nicely in the penalty area. However, his shot missed direction and went far wide. Luis Suárez and João Félix watched from the bench. After the break, the pressure from the home team increased, but the desired effect was not achieved and so Simeone intervened. With half an hour left on the clock, he brought Suárez, Félix and Thomas Lemar on the line. With fresh blood in the team, we had to wait for the equalizer.
The 1-1 eventually fell fifteen minutes before the end. It was not one of the forwards who passed Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simon, but Stefan Savic. The central defender headed home from a corner by Yannick Carrasco. Atlético Madrid did not settle for a draw and went on a hunt for more. But where the visitors only thought of attacks, it received a huge blow just before time. After a sparse breakout, Athletic Club got a corner kick. A cross by Gomez Perez Ibai ended up on the head of Iñigo Martínez, who was able to hit the header completely detached. His effort with the head was so hard that Jan Oblak had no chance.
In the absolute final phase, Atlético Madrid was no longer able to force a draw. It returns home without points and has to fear for the lead. Barcelona could become Spain’s new leader next Thursday if it wins the catch-up match against Granada (7 p.m.).