Diego Simeone sent to stands as Atletico go top with win over Malaga
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ByEurosport
Updated 23/04/2016 at 19:00 GMT
Liga, Estadio Vicente Calderon - Atletico 1 (Correa 62) Malaga 0.
Atletico Madrid's Angel Correa celebrates his first goal during the match
Image credit: Reuters
Atletico Madrid moved to the top of the La Liga table after a hard fought 1-0 win over a stubborn Malaga side at Vicente Calderón.
Having seen their great rivals Real Madrid claim a dramatic 3-2 victory over Rayo earlier in the day, Diego Simeone knew only a victory would keep his side’s bid for their second league title in three years alive.
And a second-half goal from Angel Correa ensured Atletico leapfrogged their title rivals at the top with just three league games to play. Barcelona, in third, must beat Sporting Gijon to reclaim the number one spot later on Saturday.
Only on the pitch a matter of minutes, substitute Correa opened the scoring with a rather fortuitous strike when his shot took a huge deflection and ended in the back of the net after 62 minutes. It was the fifth time he’s scored this season off the bench.
Simeone could only celebrate from the stands after he was sent off for a heated dispute at the end of the first-half.
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Atletico Madrid's coach Diego Simeone sits in the tribune during the match.
Image credit: Reuters
Anor Juanpi went closest for Malaga but Atletico rarely looked like conceding and they sealed their 21st clean sheet of the season.
TALKING POINT
Diego Simeone will miss the rest of the season after being sent off at the end of the first-half. He lost his cool with the referee over a minor issue and how will that affect his team?
With just three games to go Atletico simply have to win their last three games of the season. Away trips to Rayo, Levante followed by a home match with Celta Vigo are very winnable but Atletico would be more efficient with their manager on the touchlines.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Angel Correa (Atletico Madrid) - Diego Simeone’s very own supersub, the 21-year-old has now scored five times as a substitute this season but this was perhaps the most important goal. Atletico Madrid simply didn’t look like scoring against a stubborn Malaga side - until Correa made his appearance.
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Football Soccer - Spanish Liga BBVA- Atletico Madrid v Malaga - Vicente Calderon stadium, Spain - 23/04/16. Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann and Malaga's Miguel Torres (L) and Welligton Robson (R) in action. REUTERS/Juan Medina
Image credit: Reuters
PLAYER RATINGS
Atletico Madrid: Oblak 7, Juanfran 7, Gimenez 7, Lucas 6, Filipe Luis 7, Gabi 6, Saul 7, Koke 7, Carrasco 7, Griezmann 6, Torres 7. Subs: Augusto 6, Correa 8.
Malaga: Ochoa 7, Rosales 6, Albentosa 6, Weligton 7, Torres 6, Recio 6, Camacho 5, Horta 5, Pablo 5, Cop 5, Charles 5. Subs: Juanpi 5, Castro 5, Santa Cruz 5.
KEY MOMENTS
11’ -SAVE! Cop rifles a half-volley at goal and forces Oblak into his first stop of the evening. The visitors have a corner now.
13’ - CHANCE! Oh, how did he miss? Koke delivers a cross into the penalty area, it evades Torres but Griezmann is in a perfect place to finish... but fires wide!
42’ - SAVE! Carrasco collects the ball in a central position and fires a shot at goal but Ochoa makes a fantastic save! The Atletico midfielder took a knock when lining up that shot and he looks in some pain.
49’ - CHANCE! A well worked move almost results in the opening goal of the game - Juanfran cuts the ball back to Saul inside the penalty area but he fires wide of the goal.
50’ - PENALTY APPEAL! Torres feels he's dragged back by Weligton inside the penalty area but the referee feels it was a fair tackle and signals play on!
55’ - ATLETICO SUB! First change of the match - Angel Correa replaces Carrasco.
62’ - GOAL! Atletico Madrid 1-0 Malaga - Relief all around as the hosts take a lead! There's more than a hint of good fortune as substitute Correa's shot takes a huge deflection and ends up in the back of the net.
77’ - CHANCE! Correa is set up perfectly to put the game to bed but fluffs his lines as he blasts the ball over the bar with just the goalkeeper to beat.
KEY STATS
Angel Correa has now been directly involved in seven La Liga goals (3 goals - 4 assists) in his last five appearances.
He has also scored more goals than any other substitute in La Liga this season.
Atlético Madrid have lost only two of their last 28 La Liga home matches (2015-current), both against FC Barcelona.
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