Fight for LaLiga: Atlético takes advantage of Barça and Madrid's slip-ups

Atlético de Madrid has once again engaged in the title fight for LaLiga with a dramatic victory against Sevilla (1-2). Diego Simeone's team seemed to throw in the towel in the championship race after drawing last week against Espanyol (1-1), compounded by the harsh blow of being eliminated in the semifinals of the Copa del Rey against FC Barcelona.

However, the draw of the azulgrana team against Betis (1-1), along with Real Madrid's defeat against Valencia (1-2), gave a glimmer of hope to the 'colchoneros' in matchday 30. Things, however, started in the worst way for Atleti at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán this Sunday. The hosts took the lead with a goal from Agoumè in the 7th minute, but Julián Álvarez equalized from the penalty spot in the 25th minute.

The match was quite even from start to finish and seemed destined for a draw, but Pablo Barrios, in the 90+3', completed a perfect counterattack from the 'colchoneros' to give Atlético the victory, their first after three matchdays in which the team had only earned 1 point out of 9 possible. The defeats against Getafe (2-1) and Barça (2-4) left Simeone's side practically without title chances.

Atlético closes in on Madrid, but remains far from Barça

Nevertheless, the victory in Sevilla, combined with the slip-ups of the culés and 'merengues', leaves Atleti 7 points behind the leaders, but only 3 behind Madrid. The 'rojiblancos' have 60 points, 3 fewer than Carlo Ancelotti's team (63), who are now 4 behind Barcelona (67). Thus, with eight matchdays remaining, the team managed by Hansi Flick remains the only one that depends on itself to be champion. 

For Atleti, the Clásico between Barça and Madrid on matchday 35, along with any other slip-up from the azulgranas and whites in the coming weeks, could increase hopes of fully returning to the title race. Furthermore, culés and 'merengues' will have extra fatigue from staying alive in the Champions League, not to mention what the Copa final means, on April 26 at La Cartuja, between both teams. The 'Cholo's' men, on the other hand, can fully focus on LaLiga from now until the end of the season.

• SPECIAL: LaLiga Calendar 24/25: Matches of FC Barcelona, Real Madrid, and Atlético