Atlético: Courtois; Juanfran, Alderweireld, Godín, Filipe Luis; Koke, Mario Suárez; Raúl García, Diego Ribas (José Sosa 69’), Cristian Rodríguez (Tiago 56’); David Villa (Adrián 60’). 4-2-3-1.
Villarreal: Sergio Asenjo; Mario, Gabriel Paulista, Pantic, Jokic; Bruno, Tomás Pina; Joan Román (Javier Aquino 64‘), Manu Trigueros (Jonathan Pereira 68’), Cani (Moi Gómez 81‘); Perbet. 4-2-3-1.
Goals:
1-0. 14. Raúl García. Made himself space to head Koke corner wide of Asenjo.
Yellow cards: Gabriel 41’, Koke 66’, Raúl García 68’, Mario Suárez 79’.
Leaders Atlético beat Villarreal 1-0 in the first match on Saturday afternoon to hold on to top spot for another week. In the middle of a grueling Champions League quarter final against Barcelona, Simeone had lost Diego Costa and Arda Turan to injuries in the Nou Camp, and with team captain Gabi suspended as well he was forced to make several changes to his line-up. With a quarter of an hour gone though his side controversially took the lead, Raúl García appearing to push his marker out of the way before heading Gabi’s corner past ex Atlético keeper Sergio Asenjo. After that though there were few clear cut chances at either end, Courtois dealing easily with a long shot from Mario before the break, and Villa and García testing Asenjo after the restart. Cani shot wide and Perbet chipped another effort just over the bar, but the closest the visitors came to scoring was when Alderweireld almost turned a Moi Gómez cross in to his own net in the dying minutes. Only one win in the last seven games though for Villarreal, and their push for a European spot is fading badly.