MADRID: Atletico Madrid have been dragged again into the battle for a La Liga top-four spot on Saturday after a shock 1-0 defeat by relegation-battling Mallorca.
The loss leaves Diego Simeone’s aspect only a level in entrance of Real Betis within the desk after Betis had earlier come from behind to beat Cadiz 2-1 because of a late penalty from Borja Iglesias.
And on the different finish of the desk, Mallorca’s victory offers them a significant enhance of their bid for survival as they climb out of the relegation zone, one level forward of Cadiz, who slipped to 18th.
Atletico face Manchester City within the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final on Wednesday, needing to overturn a 1-0 deficit on the Wanda Metropolitano if they’re to make the semis.
A visit to the Balearic Islands between the 2 City video games was all the time going to be awkward however even when a level of fatigue or distraction performed its half, Atletico have been properly below-par.
The consequence additionally raises questions over Simeone’s resolution to revive Luis Suarez to the beginning line-up, even when Mallorca’s purpose really got here shortly after Suarez was changed by the in-form Joao Felix.
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The decisive second got here within the 68th minute, after Atletico’s Reinildo Mandava kicked via the again of Mallorca’s Pablo Maffeo from behind and simply inside the world.
Vedat Muriqi tucked away the penalty and Atletico had no reply, managing only one shot on course after they didn’t muster any in opposition to City in midweek.
With a four-point benefit over Betis firstly of the weekend and on the again of a powerful run of type, Atletico’s place within the prime 4 appeared safe.
But this defeat pulls them proper again into the race, with tough video games at residence to each Real Madrid and Sevilla nonetheless to come back.
Betis, who would be the favourites within the Copa del Rey ultimate in opposition to Valencia later this month, nonetheless should play at residence to Barcelona after which end the season away at Real Madrid.
Cadiz took the lead via Ivan Alejo early within the second half however Cristian Tello fired in a Betis equaliser within the 78th minute earlier than Borja stored his cool from the spot within the eighty fifth.
