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| Atletico Madrid's Portuguese forward Joao Felix (L) vies with Osasuna's Spanish defender Nacho Vidal during the Spanish league football match between CA Osasuna and Club Atletico de Madrid at El Sadar stadium in Pamplona on February 19, 2022. |
Joao Felix scored and assisted Luis Suarez in Atletico Madrid's 3-0 win at Osasuna in the Spanish league on Saturday, giving the struggling defending champions a boost before they face Manchester United.
Felix smashed in a poor clearance by Osasuna goalkeeper Sergio Herrera for the third-minute opener. Felix's pass in the 59th launched a counterattack that Suarez capped with an exquisite left-foot strike — from 40 yards out — over the head of Herrera, who was caught off his line.
Angel Correa rounded off the win in the 88th with his team-high 12th goal of the season.
Atletico’s first away win in the league since late November came after an embarrassing home loss to bottom side Levante. The win in Pamplona saw Atlético move ahead of Barcelona into fourth place.
Man United — and former nemesis Cristiano Ronaldo — is the next test for Atlético when it visits Wanda Metropolitano Stadium on Wednesday in the Champions League round-of-16 first leg.
Diego Simeone’s Atletico needed a convincing win after its worst run of results since the Argentine coach took over the club and turned it into a winner a decade ago. Beyond the goals, Atletico finally showed the same defense that Simeone has made the foundation of its success by keeping its first clean sheet in eight games.
We are happy with the win today after coming from such a bad game, but we knew how to turn the situation around,” the 22-year-old Felix said after his 100th appearance in all competitions for Atletico. This gives us confidence after scoring three and not conceding once.
Villarreal likewise warmed up for Juventus after striker Arnaut Danjuma scored a hat trick to lead his team to a 4-1 win at Granada.
Unai Emery’s side also moved ahead of Barcelona and into fifth place before it hosts Juventus in their Champions League match on Tuesday.
