Atletico Madrid’s slim Spanish title hopes light additional with a disappointing 1-1 draw at Espanyol on Saturday in La Liga. Javi Puado earned the Catalan facet a degree with a penalty after Cesar Azpilicueta put the guests forward, leaving the Rojiblancos six factors behind league leaders Barcelona regardless of having performed an additional match. Barcelona host Girona on Sunday in a Catalan derby, whereas Real Madrid, second and three factors forward of Atletico, welcome Leganes later Saturday. “Two factors escaped, two necessary ones, I do not know why that is occurring to us,” Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak informed Movistar.
“If we do not have consistency we will not battle for the title.
“We do not have it, we’re dropping factors and I believe the groups behind us are catching up.”
Simeone admitted his workforce didn’t deserve the three factors.
“It was a flat recreation wherein the draw was honest,” the coach informed reporters, though he mentioned he was not dropping by the wayside.
“I say the leagues are determined within the final 5 weeks… till then you do not know.”
After Barca beat Atletico 4-2 of their earlier prime flight outing, earlier than the worldwide break, Diego Simeone’s facet knew they might not afford to lose additional floor within the title race.
‘A tough level’
Simeone put Julian Alvarez and Rodrigo de Paul on the bench after they featured in midweek for Argentina in opposition to Brazil in South American World Cup qualifying.
Uruguay worldwide Jose Gimenez additionally started on the bench however he was wanted to switch Robin Le Normand halfway by way of the primary half after a conflict of heads.
Espanyol, battling relegation and provisionally fifteenth, fought gamely in opposition to an Atletico facet that performed inside themselves.
Marcos Llorente had a objective disallowed early on for offside however Atletico didn’t create additional probabilities till Azpilicueta blasted the guests forward from distance.
It was his first objective for 3 years and likewise his first for Atletico Madrid, however it was well worth the wait as he hit a luxurious volley into the highest nook after Antoine Griezmann’s cross was cleared to the sting of the field.
Conor Gallagher got here shut earlier than the break and Alexander Sorloth dragged a shot broad of the submit as Atletico sought a second.
Manolo Gonzalez’s Espanyol had created little hazard however discovered a approach again stage when Clement Lenglet blatantly pulled Leandro Cabrera’s shirt within the field.
Puado rammed the ensuing penalty into the highest nook previous Oblak’s outstretched arm after 71 minutes.
Alvarez, on from the bench, hit the side-netting because the clock ran down on Atletico’s ambitions, with Joan Garcia saving from a Griezmann header on the loss of life.
Eliminated from the Champions League by rivals Real Madrid, Simeone’s facet’s final real looking hope of silverware is within the Copa del Rey, the place they face Barcelona within the semi-final second leg on Wednesday.
Espanyol are actually two factors above the relegation zone.
“It’s an excellent level in opposition to a facet combating for the title… we bought a difficult level, an excellent one, and we’re doing nicely,” mentioned goalscorer Puado.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is revealed from a syndicated feed.)
