Atletico Madrid wasn’t at their scintillating best but didn’t need to be to notch just their first clean sheet in six matches as Osasuna rarely did enough to pressure the Atleti defence.
Felix’s goal after just three minutes proved enough to separate the two sides.
But strikes from Suarez and Correa in the second half amplified what was already a comfortable win for the Rojiblancos.
Budimir came closest to spoiling Oblak’s day, but the striker could only send his header off the post in the first half, and Osasuna would fail to get that close again.
The win will surely buoy Simeone’s spirits ahead of a crucial Champions League tie with Manchester United in midweek and puts Atletico Madrid into sole possession of fourth while Osasuna stays ninth.
Starting Lineup:
OSASUNA XI (4-3-3): Sergio Herrera;
Manuel Sanchez, Alvaro Cruz Armada, David Garcia, Nacho Vidal;
Darko Brasanac, Lucas Torro, Jon Moncayola;
Ruben Garcia, Ante Budimir, Chimy Avila.
ATLETICO MADRID XI (4-4-2): Jan Oblak;
Sime Vrsaljko, Stefan Savic, Jose Gimenez, Reinildo;
Marcos Llorente, Hector Herrera, Koke, Yannick Carrasco;
Luis Suarez, Joao Felix.
Goals:
1-0. It’s a better corner from Carrasco, who swings the ball into the six-yard area from the left flag.
Sergio Herrera comes to claim the ball but fumbles it under pressure from Suarez, which allows Felix to tuck the ball into the open goal.
2-0. Goals don’t get simpler than that, as the visitors turn to defend a set piece into a goal. Felix clears Ruben Garcia’s corner-kick and puts it directly into the path of Suarez in midfield. Then, with the goalkeeper off his line and outside his penalty area and the defence all over the place. The Uruguay international takes a touch to set himself before launching a shot from almost halfway that nestles into the bottom of the goal.
3-0. The substitute adds insult to injury after latching onto Koke’s prodded pass in midfield and volleying an effort past Sergio Herrera with the inside of his foot.
So, what’s next for Osasuna and Atletico Madrid?
Osasuna is back in action next Sunday when they travel to face Real Sociedad.
On Wednesday, Atletico Madrid has a Champions League tie with Manchester United.
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