BARCELONA, Feb 20: Struggling like never before under Diego Simeone, Atlético Madrid got the convincing win it needed before facing Manchester United and old nemesis Cristiano Ronaldo.
The class of João Félix and Luis Suárez – combined with some team defending finally living up to Simeone’s standard – gave Atlético reasons to feel better about its upcoming Champions League clash after a 3-0 win at Osasuna on Saturday in the Spanish league.
The win in Pamplona saw Atlético move ahead of Barcelona into fourth place.
Félix smashed in a poor clearance by Osasuna goalkeeper Sergio Herrera for the third-minute opener. Felix’s pass in the 59th launched a counterattack that Suárez capped with an exquisite left-foot strike – from 40 yards out – over the head of Herrera, who was caught off his line.
Ángel Correa rounded off the win in the 88th with his team-high 12th goal of the season.
Real Madrid vs Alavés
Despite the lopsided score, Madrid still showed the same problems behind its poorest run of an otherwise strong campaign. Madrid was outclassed in its last game by Paris Saint-Germain 1-0.
Alavés, a team in the relegation zone, got the opportunities it needed to dream of an upset at the Santiago Bernabéu, but it was left to rue some jittery finishing. Both Jason Remeseiro and substitute Pere Pons were gifted balls near the area from Casemiro and Asensio, only for both players to shoot well wide.
Once Asensio broke through with a superb curling strike from outside the box in the 63rd, it was all Madrid the rest of the way.
Vinícius finished off a slick passing combination between Federico Valverde, Asensio and Benzema to double the lead with his 13th league goal of the season with 10 minutes left.
Benzema added a third from the penalty spot late after Rodrygo was fouled, taking his league-leading tally to 18 goals.
Other results
Villarreal warmed up for Juventus after striker Arnaut Danjuma scored a hat trick to lead his team to a 4-1 win at Granada. The Netherlands forward got two of his goals from penalties.
Unai Emery’s side also moved ahead of Barcelona and into fifth place before it hosts Juventus in their Champions League match on Tuesday.
Also, Álvaro Negredo equalized after conceding a penalty with a handball to salvage Cádiz a 1-1 draw at home with Getafe. (AP)
