Atletico Madrid returned to winning ways with an impressive 3-0 win over Osasuna to keep up in the race for a top-four finish.
Diego Simeone’s side overcame a potential banana skin of a match to emerge with three much-needed points in the race to finish in the top four.
The defending champions got off to an excellent start after Joao Felix scored in the third minute to hand them an early advantage. The goal will also have done the Portuguese star’s confidence good, given his poor run of form. This was just his third start in the last 15 La Liga games.
The 22-year-old turned provider in the 59th minute when he played Luis Suarez through for Atletico’s second of the night. The Uruguayan was the real difference-maker as he scored with an audacious yet precise lob from 40 yards that gave Sergio Herrera no chance in the Osasuna goal.
Substitute Angel Correa completed the rout in the 89th minute to cap off a good night for the Colchoneros. However, the score does not completely reflect the game’s ebbs and flows as Osasuna had several opportunities of their own to leave a mark. Poor finishing coupled with Jan Oblak’s presence in goal ensured that Atletico kept a clean sheet.
6 – Atlético de Madrid have scored a league-high 6 goals from fast breaks this season: Ángel Correa (2), Luis Suárez (2), Joao Félix and Antoine Griezmann. Reaction. pic.twitter.com/Wa4ZvPoo3S
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) February 19, 2022
Simeone’s side faces off against Manchester United in the UEFA Champions League next and will go into the tie with renewed confidence following their win.
Jan Oblak: 7/10
The Slovenian is one of the finest goalkeepers in the world and put in an assured display as Atletico’s last line of defence. He made an excellent save from Nacho Vidal in the first half and was calmness personified while coming out to claim crosses.
Sime Vrsaljko: 6/10
The Croat made just his fourth start in La Liga this season. He offered little going forward and was also caught out at the back a few times. He also earned himself a yellow in the 54th minute for a tackle on Ruben Garcia. The performance makes it all the clearer that Atletico have to bring in a solid replacement for Kieran Trippier in the summer.
Stefan Savic: 8/10
Savic was a colossus at the back and handled everything Osasuna threw at him with consummate ease. He was on hand to snuff out the Osasuna attacks and ended the game with several clearances to his name. He also made a couple of forays upfield, showing off his impressive dribbling skills.
Jose Maria Gimenez: 5/10
The Uruguayan international was solid if unspectacular. He was taken off at half-time due to an injury. Whether he will return in time to face Manchester United remains to be seen.
Reinildo Mandava: 7.5/10
The Mozambican showed glimpses of his excellent potential and was more solid in defence than going forward. With Mandava proving to be solid at the back, Yannick Carrasco was afforded more freedom to push forward on the left flank.
Hector Herrera: 6/10
The Mexican international was always available for a pass and linked up well with the players around him. While he did struggle defensively, Herrera still managed to make a case for himself by winning several aerial duels.
Koke: 6/10
The skipper performed better on the day but is still some way away from his best. Koke was tidy in possession but failed to make any penetrating passes and often chose the easy option. He did grab an assist for Correa’s late goal and will be hopeful of picking up from here in the matches to come.
Marcos Llorente: 6/10
He failed to make a goal contribution on the night but made an excellent case with his athleticism and energy.
Yannick Carrasco: 7/10
The Belgian returned to the starting lineup after recovering from COVID-19. He added pace on the flank and was allowed the freedom to attack thanks to Reinildo Mandava’s assured presence behind him.
Joao Felix: 8/10
The 22-year-old marked his 100th appearance for the club with a well-taken goal early in the game. Felix was lively all night and also grabbed an assist for Suarez’s audacious strike on the night. His return to form has come at the right time, ahead of the clash against Manchester United.
5 – Atlético de Madrid's João Félix has scored five goals in five appearances against Osasuna in LaLiga, his best goalscoring record against a single opponent in the competition. Favourite. pic.twitter.com/HT8QTJMTld
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) February 19, 2022
Luis Suarez: 7/10
The veteran striker scored quite an audacious lob to give his side a two-goal cushion. He looked up for the challenge, and it was an impressive showing on the night.
SUBSTITUTES
Felipe: 7/10
He replaced Gimenez at half-time and kept things simple at the back. It was an assured performance from a player who made a real case to be involved in the first XI in the games to come.
Geoffrey Kondogbia: 6/10
Kondogbia replaced Suarez in the 70th minute as Simeone turned the screws on Osasuna. He kept things tidy in midfield and offered the visitors a layer of protection as they saw the game out.
Angel Correa: 6/10
Correa replaced Llorente late on and grabbed himself a goal in the 89th minute.
7 – Atlético de Madrid's Ángel Correa is the top scorer in the Top 5 European Leagues in the 2022 year alongside Robert Lewandowski (7). Brilliant. pic.twitter.com/yPbbSyGDFR
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) February 19, 2022
Mario Hermoso: N/A
Hermoso replaced Felix in the 82nd minute but did little of note.
Javi Serrano: 5/10
Serrano replaced Carrasco in the 82nd minute and had a few eventful moments on the field. He started the move that culminated in Atletico Madrid’s third of the night.
