Madrid, Jan. 29 (BNA): Atletico Madrid needed a second-half goal from substitute Saul Niguez to secure a narrow 1-0 away win over LaLiga in-form Osasuna on Sunday, Reuters reports.
Saul came off the bench to score in the 74th minute on the counterattack when Rodrigo De Paul showed great vision to see his team-mate behind the Osasuna defense and slotted a perfectly placed long shot.
The 28-year-old midfielder showed good composure to run into the penalty area and an unstoppable shot rifle to the left of the goalkeeper.
His goal and catalog of saves by goalkeeper Jan Oblak saved Atlético from another disappointing display.
After their 3-0 win over Real Valladolid last weekend, it was the second time this season that the team had won back-to-back league matches.
Atletico, who finished last in their Champions League group and were knocked out of the King’s Cup by rivals Real Madrid on Thursday, needed the three points to remain in the hunt for one of the four places in LaLiga in the Champions League next season.
Barcelona ranks fourth in the LaLiga standings, with 34 points, four points behind Real Sociedad, third-placed, who has a postponed match and will play second-placed Real Madrid later on Sunday. Barcelona ranks first with 47 points.
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