Tribute from the leaders
Atletico beat Real Sociedad 4-0 to go top of the league. Villa, Diego Costa, Miranda and Diego Ribas, returning home, were the scorers in a night that Atlético family bid farewell to Luis Aragonés.
ATLETICO MADRID 4-0 REAL SOCIEDAD
Atletico: Courtois, Juanfran, Godin, Miranda, Insua, Mario, Gabi, Koke ( Cristian Rodriguez, 79'), Sosa (Diego Ribas, 58'), David Villa (Raul Garcia, 41') and Diego Costa.
Real Sociedad: Bravo, Martinez, Iñigo, Ansotegui, José Ángel, Gaztañaga, Ruben Pardo, Zurutuza (Agirretxe, 65'), Prieto, Vela, Griezmann (Seferovic, 81').
Goals:
1-0 Min 37. David Villa
2-0. 72 Min. Diego Costa
3-0, 74 Min. Miranda
4-0 87 Min. Diego Ribas
Referee: Estrada Fernández
As the wisest of all wise men said: "Win, win, win and win and win again." The slogan was clear, the Vicente Calderon, in a sad and magical night together, dressed in their Sunday best to honor the myth, the legend, Don Luis Aragonés. The meeting began with Atletico looking settle and Real Sociedad moving the ball around in their own half, knowing that danger appeared with spaces for Atletico to exploit. Indeed, the first chance came for Diego Costa who, following an unstoppable run from midfield, failed to beat Bravo.
Simeone warriors began to get going around 8 minutes in to the game, when applause and chants rang out in memory of the eternal number 8. Atletico started to lock the Basque team in due to the pressure. Zurutuza was the first to test Courtois, but the Belgian goalkeeper was well placed. At this stage, territorial control was for Atletico, with good combinations led by Mario, who was returning from injury as a starter, linking up with Koke and Gabi.
When it seemed that a draw would be the score at the break, David Villa , who can always be in the right place at the right time popped up with a goal. Insua robbed the ball then gave it to Diego Costa on the wing, his cross found the 'Guaje' who beat Bravo in front of goal. Just after the Atleti number 9 was injured and had to leave his place in the field replaced by Raul Garcia.
The second saw the visitor looking to get back in to the game and pushed for an equalizer with Carlos Vela heading close. Diego Ribas who recently returned to the club came on to a standing ovation in the 58th minute and was soon delivering his quality. His was the first shot in the second half, but the Ansotegui deflected it behind for a corner kick . Subsequently, the Brazilian genius served up the ball for Raul Garcia had no luck in his head.
With the match tight in midfield Atletico were patient waited for their chance on the counterattack. The Real Sociedad continued to maintain possession, but increasingly, it was more difficult to overcome a brilliant defense commanded by Godin and Miranda. Then second came from the top goal scorer. Raul Garcia set Diego Costa through and the Atleti forward beat Bravo one on one to double the advantage.
Atletico dealt the killer blow to the game two minutes later. Koke with the telescopic sight delivered the ball to Miranda who netted the third goal and there was still time for one more, the returning hero Diego Ribas added the forth to seal a good win for Atletico, a win that see’s them go clear at the top of the table, saying goodbye to our eternal emblem. #HastaSiempreLuis.