Atletico Madrid Endure But One other Jolt In La Liga Title Race, Now 6 Factors Behind Barcelona | Soccer Information

Atletico Madrid’s slim Spanish title hopes pale additional with a disappointing 1-1 draw at Espanyol on Saturday in La Liga. Javi Puado earned the Catalan aspect 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 Actual Madrid, second and three factors forward of Atletico, welcome Leganes later Saturday. “Two factors escaped, two vital 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 struggle for the title.

“We do not have it, we’re dropping factors and I feel the groups behind us are catching up.”

Simeone admitted his staff didn’t deserve the three factors.

“It was a flat sport during which the draw was honest,” the coach informed reporters, though he stated 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 high flight outing, earlier than the worldwide break, Diego Simeone’s aspect knew they may not afford to lose additional floor within the title race.

‘A difficult level’

Simeone put Julian Alvarez and Rodrigo de Paul on the bench after they featured in midweek for Argentina towards Brazil in South American World Cup qualifying.

Uruguay worldwide Jose Gimenez additionally started on the bench however he was wanted to interchange Robin Le Normand halfway by the primary half after a conflict of heads.

Espanyol, battling relegation and provisionally fifteenth, fought gamely towards an Atletico aspect that performed inside themselves.

Marcos Llorente had a aim disallowed early on for offside however Atletico did not create additional probabilities till Azpilicueta blasted the guests forward from distance.

It was his first aim for 3 years and in addition his first for Atletico Madrid, however it was definitely 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 vast of the submit as Atletico sought a second.

Manolo Gonzalez’s Espanyol had created little hazard however discovered a method again degree 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.

Eradicated from the Champions League by rivals Actual Madrid, Simeone’s aspect’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 is a good level towards a aspect combating for the title… we obtained a tough level, a superb one, and we’re doing effectively,” stated goalscorer Puado.

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