MADRID // Atletico Madrid will need to win all nine remaining Spanish Primera Liga matches if they are to have a chance of pipping city neighbours Real and champions Barcelona to the title, according to captain Gabi.
Atletico’s 2-0 win at bottom side Real Betis on Sunday night put them on 70 points keeping them well in contention with league leaders Real Madrid, who hosted Barca in el clasico.
“We are feeling very strong, every day stronger,” midfielder Gabi, who scored Atletico’s opening goal at Betis’s Benito Villamarin stadium in Seville, told reporters.
“We have a lot of faith in the team as a group and we are working every day to keep pace with the top teams.
“We have nine finals ahead of us and if we want to be up there at the top we have to win them all.”
Atletico capitalised on the second-half dismissal of Betis forward Braian Rodriguez.
Rodriguez saw red in the 55th minute for his second bookable offence, and Atletico scored twice in the next 10 minutes through Gabi and Diego Costa as rock-bottom Betis were made to pay.
It was a sudden capitulation from Betis, who had frustrated Atletico for long periods in the first half.
The Sevilla club, knocked out of the Europa League by rivals Sevilla on Thursday, have turned their focus to trying to dig their way out of a significant hole at the foot of the standings – they are six points adrift – but are running out of time.
Sevilla beat Osasuna 2-1 away from home earlier yesterday.
Jairo Samperio opened the scoring midway through the first half with a fine individual goal, and Carlos Bacca doubled the lead from the penalty spot just before half time in a highly controversial incident that saw Osasuna coach Javi Gracia sent away from his dugout for protesting the decision. Javier Acuna scored a fine goal for Osasuna in injury time, but it only served as a consolation for the Navarrans.
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