Atlético de Madrid 3-Valencia 1 | Atlético likes it at Luis Suárez's party

Atlético was liked at Luis Suárez's birthday party. The leader defeated a Valencia who had a very good first half. But Simeone's men managed to equalize, in a set piece action, Racic's initial goal and reach the half-time with a draw. In the second half there was only the rojiblanco team. Luis Suárez scored 2-1 on his 34th birthday. The Uruguayan did not intervene much but his goal tipped the balance for his team. The forward will not forget this day: a new goal and a new victory for an Atlético that maintains a seven-point advantage over Real Madrid. Everyone joined the Uruguayan party, since João Félix was once again the one from the beginning of the season.

It is hard to believe the situation of Valencia in the table apparently in the first half at the Wanda Metropolitano. A well-planted Valencian team, with good ball output and a sense of danger at each arrival. A solvent team, determined to stand up to the leader. The first section of the crash was Valencia, who took the lead with a goal from Racic. Impossible to do better. His hit went to the squad and Atlético was back behind on the scoreboard, just as it happened in the last game against Eibar. It could have been different if in the fifth minute Jaume had not taken a shot from Giménez at close range. But the ball did not enter and Simeone's men were overtaken in the middle by the Soler-Racic couple and with a Maxi winner in almost all aerial balls. Manu Vallejo also created a lot of danger. And back without going in trouble.

Atlético managed to lift the game little by little. João Félix managed to link with Lemar in the medullary and the Portuguese moved well between the lines. Atlético tied in a set piece action, where João Félix finished off in an acrobatic position. In the absence of a good game, Simeone's team managed to equalize a match that they already presumed would be difficult. Without the fluidity of other games, the locals did stop faith and determination to go to the goal of Valencia. One of those who fights everything is Marcos Llorente, who was about to score in a shot from the front. The first half ended with controversy. The action on Lemar seemed a penalty, but the referee whistled dangerous play by the Atlético footballer.

The dynamics of the match changed in the second half. Atlético was another. Vrsaljko made way for Lodi, who took the left lane. Carrasco went to the right and Simeone's men already looked like the team we've been in this season. The leader took a step forward, played with more speed and Valencia also lost Diakhaby through injury, a wall until then. Carrasco warned a couple of times and Luis Suárez did not miss the third time, ready for his appointment with the goal. The Uruguayan took advantage of a gift from João Félix and beat the Valencia goalkeeper. A pure center forward goal, right now the best in the championship. Luis Suárez had barely touched the ball, but a goal from him decided the clash.

The match put Atlético where the Madrid team feels most comfortable, ahead on the scoreboard, all behind, together and very well positioned to strike the final blow. And it came in a manual play, with Marcos Llorente galloping, who with spaces is vital, so that Correa could put the frank meeting for the leader. Atlético won having a bad time in the first half, but playing a very good second half. The leader keeps winning. This time at home and having to go back again. But no one wanted to fail at Luis Suárez's birthday party.