LA LIGA:Atletico close on La Liga title

13 Apr 2014 20:56:16
Atletico Madrid moved closer
to a first La Liga title in
almost two decades when
Diego Godin and Diego Costa
scored in a 2-0 win at 10-
man Getafe on Sunday that stretched their
advantage at the top to three points.
The surprise leaders ahead of much wealthier
rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona, Atletico
are well placed with five games left to
become the first club other than the big two
to win Spain's domestic league since
Valencia in 2004.
Barca surrendered second place to Real on
Saturday when they followed up
Wednesday's Champions League elimination
at the hands of Atletico with a shock 1-0
defeat at Granada and Real thumped Almeria
4-0 at the Bernabeu.
Atletico have 82 points, with Real in second
on 79 and Barca, who host Atletico on the
final day of the season, on 78.
Atletico showed no sign of fatigue at Getafe's
Coliseum stadium following their exertions
against Barca, when they reached the last
four of Europe's elite club competition for the
first time since 1974.
They last won La Liga in 1996 with a team
featuring current coach Diego Simeone in
midfield and remain on course for what
would be a remarkable double of La Liga and
Champions League.
Centre back Godin, who earlier went close
with another header, nodded into an empty
net five minutes before halftime after Getafe
goalkeeper Jordi Codina came out to meet a
Juanfran cross but failed to connect.
Angel Lafita was sent off for hauling Miranda
down in the penalty area and Atletico's top
scorer Costa, back in the side after injury,
had his 66th-minute spot kick saved by
Codina.
Costa made amends when he slid in to divert
Adriano's cross into the net six minutes from
time but had to be carried off the pitch on a
stretcher after crashing into a post and
gashing his left shin just below the knee.
"He is happy and he is fine," Simeone, who
has transformed the team since taking over
at the end of 2011, told a news conference.
"One more cut to the tiger doesn't affect
him," added the Argentine, before urging the
Atletico faithful to turn out at the Calderon
for their next game at home to Elche on
Friday.
"I expect a full stadium for one of the five
finals we have left," he said.
Brazil-born Costa is second in the La Liga
scoring list with 26 goals, two behind Real
forward Cristiano Ronaldo.
La Liga: Getafe v Atletico Madrid
Duration: 5 min, 0 sec
Highlights of the La Liga match between
Getafe and Atletico Madrid from Coliseum
Alfonso Perez, Getafe.
TRICKY GAMES
After the Elche game, Simeone's side have
potentially tricky away games at Valencia
and Levante and host Malaga before the trip
to Barca.
Real have home games against Osasuna and
Valencia, away matches at Real Valladolid
and Celta Vigo and a home game against
Espanyol. Barca host Athletic Bilbao, travel
to Villarreal, entertain Getafe and visit Elche
before the Atletico showdown.
Sevilla closed to within three points of
fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao, who host
Malaga on Monday, when a Kevin Gameiro
double sealed a 2-0 win at 10-man city
rivals Real Betis.
Sevilla have 56 points, with Bilbao on 59 and
in pole position to secure a berth in
Champions League qualifying for next
season.
Betis, who had midfielder Juan Carlos sent
off in the 27th minute, are eight points adrift
at the bottom of the table and appear doomed
to relegation.
Eighth-placed Valencia, who were paired
with Sevilla in Friday's draw for the Europa
League semifinals, won 2-1 at home to
strugglers Elche to keep alive their hopes of
a place in continental competition.
Rayo Vallecano missed a chance to climb
further away from danger when they
conceded two minutes from time in a 2-2
draw at Espanyol.
This video is not available.
The stalemate at Cornella-El Prat stadium in
Barcelona left Madrid-based Rayo in 12th on
37 points, three behind ninth-placed
Espanyol.
© Reuters