Atletico Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw away from home to Real Betis and it will come as a hammer blow to their title aspirations.
Yannick Carrasco gave the visitors their lead five minutes into the game but former Barcelona player, Cristian Tello, equalized on the 20th minute.
Diego Simeone’s side have now won just two of their last six league games and their title hopes could fade away real soon if they do not improve immediately.
Joao Felix injury blow after Luis Suarez
The away side had to start without their top scorer Luis Suarez who is sidelined with a muscular injury and Atletico Madrid struggled in the final third without the Uruguayan. The likes of Correa and Felix played upfront but they drifted in and out of the game constantly.
Suarez has been smart addition to the Atletico attack this season and the Uruguayan has made a huge difference with his experience and intelligence. The visitors were missing his ability to conjure something out of nothing today.
Atletico Madrid suffer a fresh injury blow as Joao Felix was forced off few minutes after the break. He could well be out of action for few weeks.
Betis enjoyed more of the ball today and Atletico will be disappointed with their disjointed showing on the night. The visitors were second best in most areas of the game and the fans would have expected a stronger performance from a side that is harbouring hopes of winning the league.
As for Real Betis, they have given themselves a good chance of securing European football for the next season by moving into the top six. Betis are now unbeaten in five of their last six league games and they will be looking to build on this and finish the season strongly.
La Liga is wide open
After the El Clasico last night, this was a glorious opportunity for Atletico to pull clear of Real Madrid and Barcelona in the first place but now they are just one point clear at the top.
La Liga Table after Matchday 30 1- Atletico Madrid - 67 points 2- Real Madrid - 66 points 3- Barcelona - 65 points
Ideally if the teams don’t lose, Atletico Madrid will become champions. But Atletico Madrid have to face Barcelona, who are at third position with 65 points. So if Barcelona win against Atletico and all the three teams win their respective matches, Barcelona effectively help the defending champions Real Madrid to retain the title.
But surely there will be more than just these…
Line-ups
Real Betis
Claudio Bravo, Marc Bartra, Aïssa Mandi, Álex Moreno, Emerson, Joaquin (Juanmi), Sergio Canales, Guido Rodríguez (William Carvalho), Nabil Fekir, Cristian Tello, Aitor Ruibal (Diego Lainez).
Substitutes
Sidnei, Martín Montoya, Joel Robles, Lorenzo Moron, Juan Miranda, Yassin Fekir, Paul Akouokou.
Atletico Madrid
Jan Oblak, Jose Giménez, Mario Hermoso (Renan Lodi), Stefan Savic, Héctor Herrera (Vitolo), Koke, Saul Niguez, Yannick Carrasco, Kieran Trippier (Sime Vrsaljko), Joao Felix (Lucas Torreira), Ángel Correa.
Substitutes
Ivo Grbic, Felipe, Sergio Camello.
