Atletico win 1-0 at Rayo, Osasuna participant helps Ukraine

After a world break, Atlético will play Alavés earlier than beginning its quarterfinal matchup within the Champions League towards Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City on April 5.

Defending champion Atlético’s sixth win in seven matches total lifted it forward of Barcelona into third place, and simply two factors behind Sevilla in second. League chief Real Madrid is 12 factors forward of Atlético earlier than it hosts Barcelona on Sunday in an eagerly awaited “clásico”.

Diego Simeone repeated his lineup from Tuesday’s 1-0 win at Old Trafford that ousted Manchester United from the Champions League 2-1 on mixture within the spherical of 16.

After consistently tweaking the lineup as his workforce struggled at occasions this season, Simeone seems to have discovered his most well-liked beginning 11 with Antoine Griezmann and João Félix in assault and Luis Suárez as a reserve.

Griezmann and Félix mixed thrice early on to create possibilities as Rayo’s protection held on. The hosts responded with strain and a high-pace assault that managed to rattle the extra proficient guests via the remainder of the primary half.

But when Félix linked up with Koke within the forty ninth minute, the resistance collapsed. After receiving the ball within the field, Koke handed it again for Félix arriving in a second wave.

The Portugal ahead slid the ball proper again to satisfy Koke’s transfer round his marker, and the Spain midfielder did the remainder by slotting his shot contained in the far put up.

“I think we have made this click,” Koke mentioned.

“We have increased our intensity and our concentration and that is why we are on this run. (We have improved) both in defense and attack. We are keeping clean sheets and that is giving us wins.”

Angel Correa was proven a crimson card, which gave the impression to be for one thing that the ahead mentioned to the referee, after he dedicated a foul within the 86th. Correa is Atlético’s high scorer this season with 12 objectives. He will miss the sport towards Alavés.

Rayo, who had climbed as excessive as fourth place in December, was left in thirteenth after 10 rounds with out a win.

For Sunday’s clásico, Madrid will not be capable to rely on league top-scorer Karim Benzema, who’s dominated out with a left-leg harm.

HELP FOR UKRAINE

Osasuna dealt a blow to Levante’s diminishing possibilities of avoiding relegation after easing to a 3-1 win over the league’s backside workforce.

Levante was left seven factors from security with 9 video games left.

Rubén García, who arrange one among Osasuna’s objectives, will now concentrate on taking part in a convoy of humanitarian assist for Ukraine.

Osasuna will open its coaching amenities on Sunday to gather donations for a cargo of humanitarian assist organized partly by García.

García will be part of a convoy of no less than 5 vans loaded with medicines and child provides that plans to go away Spain on Thursday for Poland’s border with Ukraine to assist attend to the streams of refugees fleeing Russia’s invasion.

RELEGATION FIGHT

Two groups attempting to stave off the drop produced the day’s liveliest conflict, with Granada scoring late to finish a 3-2 comeback at Alavés.

Its first win in 9 rounds lifted Granada 4 factors away from the underside three. Alavés remained in second-to-last-place.

Alavés was main 2-1 with half an hour left earlier than Antonio Puertas leveled for Granada and substitute Luis Suárez acquired the winner within the 87th.

Alavés striker Joselu Mato had a penalty saved by goalkeeper Luis Maximiano within the first half.

GUEDES AGAIN

Valencia winger Goncalo Guedes scored early within the second half to assist his workforce win 1-0 at Elche.

Guedes is having fun with one of the best season of his profession with 13 objectives in all competitions. He has helped Valencia attain the Copa del Rey last towards Real Betis subsequent month.