Atletico Madrid are Champions of Spain

Photo: Atetico Madrid celebrate winning La Liga at the Camp Nou (AP)

On a day when they needed to avoid defeat to become La Liga winners, Atletico Madrid came from behind to salvage a draw at the Camp Nou. Having lost their top scorer Diego Costa and the influential Arda Turan in the first half, Diego Simeone’s men held their nerve despite going into the dressing 1-0 down at half-time due to a superb strike from Alexis Sanchez.

The big Uruguayan Diego Godin leaped majestically to place a powerful header in the bottom corner past Jose Manuel Pinto in goal for Barcelona from Gabi corner on 49 minutes. It was his fourth goal of the La Liga season and it was enough to push Atleti over the line and become champions. Barcelona had taken the lead on 33 minutes thanks to a wonder strike from their Chilean forward Alexis. Cesc Fabregas chipped a pass into Lionel Messi whose touch put the ball into the path of Alexis who unleashed a right-footed screamer into the roof of the net from a tight angle, getting the better of Thibaut Courtois in goal.

It was Atleti who started brightly with their midfield standout Koke running the show forcing Gerard Pique into the referee’s book. Diego Costa then pulled-up on fourteen minutes and was replaced by Adrian Lopez. It left the Brazilian-born striker in tears maybe thinking he could miss out on the Champions League Final next weekend. Nine minutes later however Simeone was left shaking his head and must have been cursing his luck as Arda went down from a collision with Fabregas and had to be replaced by Raul Garcia. Gerardo Martino had sprung a surprise as he opted to leave Xavi on the bench with Fabregas, Sergio Busquets and Andres Iniesta starting in midfield.

After Barcelona took the lead they never seemed threatening even though they had a few openings on the break towards the end of the first half. Former Barcelona striker David Villa hit the post 45 seconds after the restart but then three minutes later Godin had equalized. Since that moment, Atleti never looked like giving up a goal even though they dropped deeper and was erratic in defense at times.

The final whistle prompted wild scenes of celebration with Simeone seemingly in a state of disbelief while his players hugged and congratulated each other. The Camp Nou crowd was very classy showing respect to the Atleti team that has not lost in six games this season against the Blaugrana. It is Atletico Madrid’s tenth hold on the title and their first since 1996.

Simeone was an Atletico Madrid player the last time they won the La Liga title and it must feel as sweet as back then and maybe even sweeter this time around to lift the trophy at the Camp Nou which is a huge achievement. They have been the most consistent team throughout the season and showed bravery, courage and nerves of steel when needed the most. The have played some fantastic football as well but produced a defensive masterclass which ensured that they became La Liga winners for 2013/2014.