(Football news) Atletico Madrid got a comfortable win in the La Liga against Real Valladolid at the Wanda Metropolitano. Diego Simeone started in an attacking 4-3-3 formation with Antoine Griezmann, Angel Correa and Alvaro Morata up front. The tactics paid dividends as Atletico Madrid scored 3 goals inside 28 minutes. Griezmann assisted Morata for the 1st goal before getting a goal himself after being set up by Nahuel Molina for the 2nd.

Mario Hermosa scored Atletico’s 3rd goal after some pinball from a free kick. The win keeps Atletico Madrid in 4th spot with Villarreal breathing down their neck. The result couldn’t have come at a better time as the Rojiblancos travel across town to the Santiago Bernabéu for the Copa Del Rey Quarter final against arch rivals Real Madrid on Thursday. 

Barcelona kept their top spot on the La Liga table with a gritty 1-0 win at home against Getafe. Ansu Fati started as a number 9 as Ferran Torres and Robert Lewandowski were both suspended. Ronald Araujo who didn’t play in the Copa Del Rey match midweek was left on the bench. Frenkie De Jong was also an unused substitute despite his good performances recently. Raphinha assisted Pedri for the only goal of the match in the 35th minute.

It wasn’t the most convincing performance by Barcelona but it did the job to keep them on top of the La Liga standings. Gavi once again put in a shift in midfield alongside veteran Sergio Busquets. Their next game is against Real Sociedad in the Copa Del Rey Quarter finals which is incredibly important.

After the recent slump in form Real Madrid got a hard fought victory against Athletic Club. Carlo Ancelotti surprised everyone when he left veterans Toni Kroos and Luka Modric on the bench. He opted to go with a younger midfield of Eduardo Camavinga, Fede Valverde and Dani Ceballos which is an indication that he may have started the transition. The first goal came in the 24th minute thanks to an absolutely brilliant weak foot finish by Karim Benzema.

Real Madrid created a few more opportunities but the game was difficult for them. Athletic were applying constant pressure throughout the 2nd half. Inaki Williams put the ball in the net in the 78th minute but the goal was ruled out for offside in the build-up. In the last minute Rodrygo set up Toni Kroos who scored with another wonderful shot to seal a 2-0 victory. The performance wasn’t great but it was enough to win 3 points at one of the toughest away stadiums in La Liga. The win keeps Real Madrid 3 points behind Barcelona in the La Liga standings.

Also read: Copa Del Rey quarter finals feature Madrid derby among other mouth watering clashes