Angel Correa has done it again! Despite being on the back foot for longer than they’d like to, Atletico Madrid marked their return to Wanda Metropolitano stadium with a trademark narrow win over Elche. Argentinean striker Correa scored the only goal from a new boy Rodrigo De Paul’s assist.It was a special night in Madrid. Koke, the Atleti captain, presented La Liga trophy to the returning fans. Last term, the red and whites came out on top and lifted the trophy, but were forced to play in front of empty stands. Today, they finally got to share their achievement with adoring supporters.Before the match kick-off, a poignant gesture by the club saw 379 red and white carnations – one for each club member who passed away during the pandemic – laid on the pitch. There was also a minute of silence as violinist and Atleti fan Pablo Navarro performed the club’s anthem as a tribute to those who passed away during the pandemic.
On the pitch, it was a lot of the same. Atletico never showed spectacular football but were solid at the back. That gave them the platform to go out and snatch a goal that would prove to be worthy of three points. It’s a tested recipe perfected by coach Diego Simeone and it worked again. Angel Correa picked up a pass from recent signing Rodrigo De Paul and found the net to give the champions of Spain another win.Earlier on Sunday, Real Sociedad needed a penalty to squeeze past Rayo Vallecano in a close La Liga encounter in San Sebastian. A 68th-minute Mikel Oyarzabal spot-kick proved the difference in a close affair, as Real Sociedad beat Rayo Vallecano 1-0, sending themselves seventh in the table and imposing their opponents’ tenth defeat in eleven La Liga matches.LA LIGA – ROUND 2FridayBetis – Cadiz 1-1 (1-1)/Juanmi 22 – Negredo 10 pen/SaturdayAlaves – Mallorca 0-1 (0-0)/Ninno 80/Granada – Valencia 1-1 (1-0)/Suarez 16, Soler 88 pen/Espanyol – Villareal 0-0Athletic Club – Barcelona 1-1 (0-0)/Martinez 50 – Depay 75/SundayReal Sociedad – Rayo Vallecano 1-0 (0-0)/Oyarzabal 68 pen/Atletico Madrid – Elche 1-0 (1-0)/Correa 39/22.00: (5.10) Levante (3.70) Real Madrid (1.70)Monday20.00: (3.60) Getafe (2.95) Sevilla (2.30)22.00: (2.75) Osasuna (3.00) Celta (2.80)