Atletico Madrid crowned La Liga champions
BY Jonathan Ledger
Atletico Madrid have been crowned Spanish La Liga champions following a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Real Valladolid in the last game of the season on Saturday, thanks to goals from Angel Correa and Luis Suarez.
The Diego Simeone-led side finished the season with 86 points to claim the title from Real Madrid, deposed champions and local rivals, who finished on 84 points after defeating Villarreal 2-1 in similar circumstances at the Alfredo Di Stefano stadium.
The title triumph is Atletico Madrid’s first since 2014 when they also clinched it on the final day under Simeone.
It is also the second title not claimed by either Real Madrid or Barcelona in 17 years, with Atletico breaking the duopoly on both occasions.
Valladolid, owned by Ronaldo de Lima, former Real Madrid player, seemed to throw a spanner into Atletico’s wheel by scoring the first goal of the encounter from a counter-attack following an Atletico corner kick.
Oscar Plano raced away before slotting beyond Jan Oblak in goal for a lead that gave the relegated side hopes of beating the drop.
A determined Atletico resumed the second half on the front foot and equalised on 58 minutes. Correa dribbled past two players before toe-poking into the net from just inside the area.
Suarez, former Barcelona striker who reluctantly joined Atletico for €6 million last summer, completed the turnaround nine minutes later when he pounced on a horrific back pass before finishing with aplomb for the winning goal that also brought home the title.
The final whistle saw Atletico celebrate their 11th title in Spanish top-flight history while also consigning Valladolid to relegation.
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