Atletico head in at half-time two goals to the good and looking comfortable. The hosts were typically clinical in that first half, picking off Real Sociedad through Carrasco and Correa. Sociedad, particularly Isak, have tested Oblak a few times but haven’t been able to put Atletico under any sustained pressure.
45′ HALF-TIME: ATLETICO MADRID 2-0 REAL SOCIEDAD
43′ Atletico pass up an opportunity to get a third goal by half-time as Correa can’t find the right pass to Carrasco. Real got caught out in a dangerous position once again.
41′ Carrasco’s role in this Atletico side is fascinating. The Belgian’s like a floating wing-back, with Hermoso coming out wide when Atletico have the ball and tucking back in when they don’t.
39′ Guridi’s pass is intercepted and Atletico try to break forward again. Real put a stop to it, bringing down Correa.
38′ Atletico see the corner out easily enough. The hosts get another chance to float the ball into Real’s box but can’t create a goalscoring chance from it.
36′ Real come close to pulling a goal back! The visitors put together some silky stuff in front of Atletico’s defence and Isak darts into the box to force Oblak into a smart save. It will be a Sociedad corner.
34′ Oyarzabal commits handball. Atletico enjoy a prolonged spell on the ball until Trippier’s touch is off and he lets it roll out for a Real throw-in.
32′ Real look to get themselves back in the game right away. Isak spanks an effort towards goal from the edge of the box from Barrenetxea’s pass. Oblak tips it aside.
30′ Suarez has been involved in 11 goals in 12 games against Real Sociedad now with five goals and six assists. The Uruguayan’s only been a more prolific provider against two other sides in LaLiga.
28′ Suarez’s throughball there was delightful but Correa made the finish look easy. Atletico look in the mood to rack up goals.
Á. Correa
Goal
28′ GOAL! ATLETICO MADRID 2-0 REAL SOCIEDAD! Correa doubles Atletico’s lead with a cool finish into the bottom left corner. Suarez played a lovely throughball to slip the Argentine into the right of the box.
26′ Real Sociedad are getting nowhere fast. Atletico are experts at soaking up pressure and terrifying their opponents on the counter-attack.
24′ Atletico win a free-kick near the right touchline as Zubimendi brings down Llorente. Trippier swings it in and Saul’s header is off-target. Real successfully clear.
22′ Real Sociedad are finding it hard to play through Atletico who are playing a very narrow 5-4-1 out of possession. All the visitors can do is pass out wide before losing the ball again.
20′ Oyarzabal has a pop from outside the box and Atletico successfully block it. Real think they’ve won a corner but the decision goes Atletico’s way.
18′ Barrenetxea gives Oblak his first work to do, spooning an effort into the arms of the Atletico goalkeeper from inside the box.
Llorente
Assist
17′ Llorente’s pass there was a peach. Atletico waited for their moment and Carrasco was clinical. The Belgian was calmness personified.
Y. Carrasco
Goal
16′ GOAL! ATLETICO MADRID 1-0 REAL SOCIEDAD! Atletico have gotten off to a flyer! The hosts take the corner short and keep possession. Llorente picks out Carrasco who takes a great touch with the outside of his wrong foot and rolls the ball underneath Remiro.
15′ Carrasco beats Zaldua for pace but the full-back recovers well to put the ball out for Atletico’s first corner of the game.
13′ Atletico are quite content to let La Real dictate the game and spring forward on the counter. Real Sociedad have had 63 per cent possession of the ball so far.
11′ Carrasco jinks into the box from the left and looks for a teammate but Real Sociedad clear their lines.
9′ Atletico really want an early goal! Llorente races through on goal after being set free by Correa. The forward takes aim for the bottom corner and forces Remiro to rush out and block. Remiro can’t hold the shot but smothers it at the second attempt.
7′ Llorente is fouled by Oyarzabal just in front of La Real’s box. Suarez steps up to swish the free-kick towards goal and isn’t too far wide of the post, hitting the side netting.
5′ Atletico get an early opportunity as Suarez fires over from the centre of the box after latching onto Llorente’s pass. Suarez looks up from the turf in exasperation. That would have been the perfect start for the hosts.
3′ Both teams gently scope each other out. Llorente is penalised for accidental handball.
1′ The visitors La Real get this game underway!
The two sides are out on the Wanda Metropolitano pitch. Atletico are in their preferred red-and-white striped shirts and blue shorts. Real Sociedad are wearing their white-and-blue home colours.
Atletico have lost just one of their last five league games against Real Sociedad and are unbeaten in seven against them at home, keeping a clean sheet in five of those games. However, Real Sociedad haven’t lost their last three visits to Madrid teams. This could be a tight affair. With Barca and Real Madrid breathing down their necks, it’s one Atletico will especially feel they need to win.
Atletico make just the one change from their 0-0 draw with Barcelona. Saul replaces Lemar. There are five changes to Real Sociedad from their 2-0 win over Elche five days ago. Pacheco has recovered from illness and is fit enough to make the bench.
SUBS: Robin Le Normand, Martin Merquelanz, Roberto Lopez, Jon Bautista, Asier Illarramendi, David Silva, Ander Guevara, Andoni Gorosabel, Igor Zubeldia, Jon Pacheco Dozagarat, Adnan Januzaj, Miguel Ángel Moya.
REAL SOCIEDAD (4-4-2): Alex Remiro; Joseba Zaldua, Aritz Elustondo, Modibo Sagnan, Nacho Monreal; Ander Barrenetxea, Martin Zubimendi, Jon Guridi, Mikel Oyarzabal (c); Portu, Alexander Isak.
SUBS: Vitolo, Moussa Dembele, Geoffrey Kondogbia, Jose Gimenez, Renan Lodi, Ivo Grbic, Joao Felix, Lucas Torreira, Sime Vrsaljko, Hector Herrera.
ATLETICO MADRID (4-4-2): Jan Oblak; Kieran Trippier, Stefan Savic, Felipe, Mario Hermoso; Marcos Llorente, Koke (c), Saul Níguez, Yannick Carrasco; Angel Correa, Luis Suarez.
Real Sociedad will be looking to make the league leaders’ lives difficult though. Imanol Alguacil’s visitors have also rallied lately and sit fifth in the table, the highest they can finish now. However, they still need to hold off Real Betis and Villarreal to secure a Europa League place for the second season in a row. One more win would just about do it.
Atletico are three wins away from becoming Spanish champions once again. Diego Simeone’s men have firmed up again at just the right time, keeping a clean sheet in four of their last five LaLiga matches, and will have been buoyed by Barcelona only picking up a 3-3 draw away to Getafe last night after picking up a valuable point at Camp Nou last weekend.
Hello! Welcome to our live text commentary of this LaLiga clash between Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad at Wanda Metropolitano.
L. Suárez
Assist