Atletico Madrid squeezed out a third victory in five games with a dramatic 1-0 win over Girona on Monday evening to move clear third into the top four of the La Liga table.

Diego Simeone’s men had a slow start to the season and spent a majority of it out of the top four, but a recent positive turn in form has seen his team move into the top four.

The team has been impressive away from home, though, with their last away trip to Real Madrid the second time they dropped points on an away game in 2023 in La Liga.

Monday’s game started tightly, with both sides going into the break level, but Atletico Madrid continued to dominate and didn’t get a goal until Alvaro Morata poked home in the final minute of the game.

The goal wasn’t the cleanest, as VAR checked for offside while there was a scuffle in the box, but none of it stopped Atletico Madrid.

The lengthy additional time did not do Girona any good as Atletico Madrid went ahead with all three points and moved above Real Sociedad into third.

Real Sociedad drew 1-1 with Mallorca at the weekend, and they are now three points behind Diego Simeone’s side. Atletico Madrid are still eight points behind Real Madrid in second place, although they could reduce that to five points with Real Madrid set to face Barcelona in the second El Clasico of the season.

Barcelona themselves are in form of late, getting the victories against Real Madrid in the Super Cup final and also in the first leg of their Copa Del Rey semi-final fixture.

Barcelona is also nine points ahead in La Liga and cruising their way to the La Liga title, having defeated Athletic club on Sunday 1-0.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu