Atlético took the three points of a Reale Arena that always supposes a toothache for the rojiblancos and where they had harvested three defeats in the four previous visits. And this is how rough the game was expected, where Real Sociedad were looking for a victory to re-equalize the colchoneros on points at the top of the table. But Simeone's team showed its most forceful version. In both areas, taking advantage of the opportunities it generated and preventing the txuri-urdin from testing Oblak until the last moments.
A rock on defense, with a tactically fantastic interpretation of the team's needs, going from the central three to the line of four as the meeting progressed with a Beautiful who is in his best rojiblanco moment and that he was also very comfortable on the left side. I had closing Felipe, back to his best version of last season and when he is like this he is practically unbeatable and to Savic, that has set a fantastic 2020. But the athletic defensive encounter was remarkable from the first to the last player.
Something that allowed Real Sociedad, which started the day at the top of the scorers table together with Real Madrid and Barcelona, to leave, with a single dangerous shot throughout the game, from a direct free kick with less than ten minutes remaining. Oblak lived very comfortable thanks to the choral work of a team that began by pressing up, special mention for Lemar's work, and it was withdrawing, but maintaining a maximum concentration. Carrasco on the left helping Hermoso and Correa on the right with Trippier, Koke as anchor with the collaboration of Llorente and Lemar in the middle and Suárez waiting upstairs to be able to lower a ball backwards and cause a foul that would take the team out.
In the minutes that Atlético had the worst, they managed to get out unscathed thanks to a spotless exercise behind. And after the break he returned with the mission to press up again to try to generate danger on Remiro's goal. Very soon the award arrived, also recovering a facet of the stopped ball that was choking. Magnificent center of Carrasco to uncheck and head of Hermoso impossible for the Real Sociedad goalkeeper. In the first half, the center-back himself had combed a corner at the near post that almost meant Suárez's goal, showing that he also contributes more and more in attack.
But, Atleti this season does not give up the second goal when they get the first. And, although he continued in the back, he tried to go out on each occasion mainly against thanks to the indefatigable version of Carrasco, a dagger from the left. Finally Llorente managed to expand the score after a play made by that side, with the participation of Suárez in the area and a left-footed shot from a midfielder who a year ago would never have imagined contributing so much in the final meters. Atlético took the three points to continue at the top of the table and also gave sensations of a key solidity to be a candidate for the title.
Three gold points in a very complicated stadium where, not counting João Félix above or Giménez behind, an outstanding exercise of forcefulness was carried out in the areas, with the feeling of always playing what Simeone wanted. The technician has great news so far this year, where the scoring figures have soared compared to last season (26 goals in 13 games) and in defense history is still being made (only five goals against). The squad is plugged in, players who were secondary like Beautiful, Herrera or now Lemar They have taken a huge leap and internal competition is increasing. Thinking about Getafe (day 30), Atlético and Simeone have reasons to spend Christmas with a smile on their lips with numbers that allow one to dream of the highest levels.