Atletico secure victory over Osasuna in a bad-tempered match

• Atletico Madrid continued their remarkable run this season with victory over Osasuna on Friday night
• Diego Simeone’s side are now fifth in the La Liga with 13 points and have a game in hand

Atletico Madrid continued their remarkable run this season with victory over Osasuna on Friday night at Estadio El Sadar in Pamplona. The visitors secured a 2-0 victory in an bad-tempered La Liga encounter which ended with both teams reduced to 10 men.

Speaking after his side secured victory over Osasuna, manager Diego Simeone said it was an important victory and a tough one.

Atletico Madrid secure 2-0 victory over Osasuna. Photo/ ESPN.

“Every time we play here is a complex situation… It feels like the game will never end. We ended winning more comfortably than we probably should thanks to a counter-attack, but I don’t think the score reflects what really happened. It was an important and tough win and we need some rest.” Reuters quote Atletico manager Diego Simeone.

Atletico Madrid are now fifth in the La Liga with 13 points and have a game in hand. League leaders Girona have 19 points while second placed Real Madrid have 18 points. Meanwhile, last night’s result extended Osasuna’s winless streak to five matches in all competitions and they have dropped to 14th place on the standings.

How Atletico Madrid Beat Osasuna

Atletico Madrid travelled to Pamplona with the aim of securing victory having won eleven successive games on home turf. They faced Osasuna after their 3-1 victory over Real Madrid on Sunday. Before beating Madrid, Atletico were coming off a draw at Lazio in the group stage of the Champions League.

Roared on by their fans at Estadio El Sadar, Osasuna started the match well. Chimy Avila forced Jan Oblak into action early in the match before Lucas Torro threatened again, with his shot going inches wide.

Osasuna were made to pay for their missed chances midway through the first half when Atletico opened the scoring through Antoine Griezmann. The Frenchman was quick to react to a rebound and score from the narrowest of angles after Osasuna goalkeeper Aitor Fernandez failed to hold on to Samuel Lino’s cross.

Antoine Griezmann celebrates with his teammates after opening the scoring for Atletico Madrid. Photo/ ESPN.

Johan Mojica tried to bring Osasuna level a few minutes later from a tight angle just like Griezmann but his effort crashed back off the upright. The hosts then started a brilliant counter-attack, which ended with Avila missing a golden opportunity to equalize.

Osasuna dominated almost the entire second half but were unlucky to score because of Atletico’s amazing defending. David Garcia scored from a corner but the goal was ruled out for a foul on Axel Witsel. Manager Jagoba Arrasate was sent off for arguing with the referee after the goal was ruled out.

Things got worse for Osasuna when Rodrigo Riquelme doubled Atletico’s lead in the 75th minute after rounding the keeper. Both teams finished the match reduced to ten men after Alvaro Morata and Chimy Avila were sent off following a clash in the 85th minute.