Marcos Llorente and Ángel Correa put Spanish league leaders Atlético de Madrid back on the winning track, providing the goals in a 2-1 victory in Granada on Saturday.
The three points came after Atlético stumbled on their march to their first league title since 2014, when their eight-round winning streak ended with a 2-2 draw against Celta de Vigo. The hard-fought victory in Granada increased their lead over champion Real Madrid to eight points with an extra game to play as well.
Granada stopped the visitors attack until Llorente scored in the 63rd minute from the edge of the area for his eighth goal in all competitions this season.
Yangel Herrera tied three minutes later after Atlético’s only defensive disappointment when he failed to clear a corner kick.
But Correa put the forwards on top definitively in the 75th with a shot that deflected defender Jesús Vallejo before the ball passed over goalkeeper Rui Silva and landed in the far corner of the net.
“After a draw, we were more motivated to get this victory,” Correa said. “We knew we had to stay focused because we were creating chances and it was just a matter of when the goals would come.”
Luis Suárez, who leads the league with 16 goals, had Atlético’s best chances before Llorente’s first game. The former Barça forward threw a Correa pass on the crossbar just after the break.
Atlético have lost only once in 21 league games this season.
Atlético was still without forwards Joao Félix, Thomas Lemar, Moussa Dembélé and midfielder Héctor Herrera, all confined by coronavirus infections.
Granada remained in eighth position after their third league defeat at home this season.
Later, Barcelona, third, host Alavés, while fourth, Sevilla, play against Huesca. Eibar also faces Valladolid.
Real Madrid host Valencia on Sunday.
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