It was difficult and it was not meant to be. Tonight, la Real recorded a defeat at the Metropolitano at the hands of a more clinical Atleti side. Two goals in the first half condemned la Real to defeat. The txuri urdin gave their all in the final minutes and Zubeldia halved the deficit but the side from San Sebastián must continue fighting to finish fifth, which depends on Thursday’s results.
We knew that it would not be easy to score at the Wanda Metropolitano. LaLiga title was at stake and the side from Madrid came out all guns blazing. They carved out two chances to open the scoring through Suárez but the goal arrived in the minute 16 when Carrasco beat the keeper to make it 1-0. Twelve minutes later, Correa doubled the hosts’ lead. Before this happened, la Real fashioned some chances as Barrenetxea and Isak were denied by Oblak. Luck wasn’t on la Real’s side as Isak showed all of his intelligence and positional sense to head home. However, his shot hit the post. We reached half-time with the score at 2-0 and that made things extremely difficult for us.
La Real hit back in the second half but the rojiblancos remained solid at the back and didn’t allow the txuri urdin the chance to get near their goal. Portu’s volley into the ground was saved well by Oblak. Again, Portu could have reduced the arrears for the visitors when his shot hit the post. Bautista and Merquelanz failed to hit the target with their follow up efforts. Finally, Zubeldia scored to get a goal back for la Real, which gave their all out there until the final whistle.
La Real come away empty handed from their trip to Madrid. Los rojiblancos were competing for the title and this could happen. The txuri urdin have secured a spot in Europe and must now fight to seal their place in the top five this season. Two games to play! Aupa Real!
Match details:
Atlético de Madrid: Oblak, Trippier, Savic, Felipe, Hermoso, Koke (cap), Saúl (Kondogbia, min.73), Llorente, Correa (Joao Felix, min.73), Carrasco and Suárez.
Real Sociedad: Remiro, Zaldua, Aritz (Zubeldia, min.68), Sagnan (Pacheco, min.59), Monreal (López, min.59), Zubimendi, Guridi, Oyarzabal (cap)(Merquelanz, min.68), Barrenetxea, Portu and Isak (Bautista, min.46).
Goals: 1-0: Carrasco, min.16. 2-0: Correa, min.28. 2-1: Zubeldia, min.83.
Referee: Cuadra Fernández. No bookings.
