Atletico on the podium of the League in Vigo

An excellent victory for Atletico Madrid who went to Vigo to win and achieved their goal thanks to a great job from defense to attack. After a first half with few chances, the real danger came after the break. Diego Costa scored the first, Juanfran made it 2-0. Augusto Fernández pulled one back before Falcao grabbed his 27th in the league.

Celta and Atletico Madrid went in to the game treating it like a final, each looking to their interests, both very different. While the Galicians urgently needed three points to stay alive in this battle to avoid relegation, a victory for Atleti would seal third place and direct access to the group stage of the Champions League, a goal they wanted to achieve ahead of the Copa del Rey final next Friday the 17th of May.

Atletico started well, always looking to test Javi Varas in the Celta goal, playing a 4-3-3 they looked to trouble Celta. Koke and Diego Costa returned to the starting after serving their suspensions Adrian also brought more depth to the team.

The first opportunity fell to Falcao, after a good run from Koke who played n Diego Costa befre picking out the Colombia. Celta also looked to put pressure on Courtois’ goal and a minute late Krohn Dehli found himself one on one but Courtois held firm and in doing so went on to beat the record set by Abel.

Gradually Atletico Madrid took control of the match and linked up well all across the pitch Diego Costa was keeping Jonny Vila and Roberto Lago busy. As a result, Falcao was allowed to cut in from the right and pick out Adrian who couldn’t hit the target. It was a shame because the build up deserved a goal.

In the final stretch of the half, two isolated chances fell to Celta, one on a corner kick and the second a Augusto Fernandez shot that crashed into the side netting. The sides went in to the break all square.

At half time, Simeone took of Suarez, who had collected a yellow in the first half, bringing on Tiago in his place. That change gave the visitors the momentum and a set piece move opened the scoring in the 47th minute. A corner kick to the near post from Koke was flicked on by Miranda to the far post where Diego Costa arrived to power home and make it 1-0 Atletico.

The game was where Atletico Madrid wanted it to be. After the goal the maintained smart ball possession and a tremendous work work rate from the whole team set them on their way to a very important victory that would secure them a podium finish. But Celta remained committed and went in search of the equalising goal.

The rojiblancos pushed on and it was Diego Costa who reminded Javi Varas of the dangers of Atletico Madrid with a good effort that was the prelude to the second goal. Atletico pressed well and had control of the game and when a ball from Diego Costa in the area, arrived at the feet of Juanfran, the defender did not think twice and knocked his shot beyond Javi Varas. A great goal from Alicante born player.

Celta to their credit continued to fight and with six minutes remaining Augusto Fernandez pulled on back for the home side, making it 2-1 with very little time on the clock. But their fight back didn’t last long as 2 minutes later, el tiger Falcao was on the score sheet after good work from Cristian Rodriguez.

Atletico didn’t look to sit on their 3-1 lead and continued to push and an Arda Turan shot in an exceptional move which saw the Turk strik the woodwork. A just and deserved victory seeing Atletico Madrid secured third place in Vigo.