Playing for 90
Fansided

Atletico Madrid make huge push for La Liga title

By Ernesto Hernandez

MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 12: Kieran Trippier and Koke of Atletico de Madrid celebrate at the end of the La Liga Santander match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Sociedad at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on May 12, 2021 in Madrid, Spain. Sporting stadiums around Spain remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - MAY 12: Kieran Trippier and Koke of Atletico de Madrid celebrate at the end of the La Liga Santander match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Sociedad at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on May 12, 2021 in Madrid, Spain. Sporting stadiums around Spain remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Up until a couple of weeks ago, when Barcelona had the opportunity to go top with a win against Granada, it seemed like Atletico Madrid were going to bottle winning La Liga.

They had built up a significant lead over Barcelona and Real Madrid. Fortunately for Diego Simeone’s team, both their rivals have stumbled. Atletico are once again in the driver’s seat following a 2-1 win against Real Sociedad.

More from Playing for 90

On paper, La Real were the toughest opponent left for Los Colchoneros. Not only did they get through it with their lead but they put more distance between them and Barcelona.

But it wasn’t without its high pressure moments as Real Sociedad did manage to pull one back late in the game.

Atletico Madrid know how to “suffer” in big games.

If there is one thing that has set Atletico Madrid apart since Simeone took over is their ability to suffer in games. While there are exceptions, more often than not, they’ve been able to hold strong when being overrun by the opposition.

It’s the “bend, don’t break” mindset that has propelled them to only being two wins away from winning the league.

"“This year has been a bit of everything, a mix, were Atleti, if we didn’t suffer, that wouldn’t be us,” said Koke after the game.”Source: ESPN"

Koke, who played his 500th game with the club, knows what his team is all about and knows the game against Real Sociedad is type of game they’ve played countless and, in some ways, revel at.

Atletico’s strong start to the league and their recent run of form is what is going to propel them to winning the league. They had their rough patch but put enough room between themselves and the chasers to give themselves a huge margin of error.

When the heat got turned up, they battled. The biggest one coming in their draw last weekend against Barcelona.

Next. Sergio Busquets admits Barcelona title hopes all but over. dark

Now, only two games separate them from their second La Liga trophy under Simeone. Last time, they left it until the final game of the season. It may come down to that again but their fate is in their own hands.

Home/Soccer