Atletico Madrid were confirmed as La Liga
champions on Saturday, breaking an 18-year
drought for the club.
Atletico's triumph – their first since 1996 –
ended a nine-year spell where only
heavyweights Barcelona or Real Madrid won the Liga trophy.
Despite leading the league by as much as six
points in April, Diego Simeone's side were
made to work until the very last day of the
campaign for their 10th Liga title, with a
tense 1-1 draw at the second-placed Barcelona.
Barcelona could have won the league
themselves with victory, and went 1-0 up
through a stunning Alexis Sanchez strike –
only for Atletico defender Diego Godin to
power home a headed equaliser just after
half-time.
Atletico were denied the chance to win the
title last week after being held to a nervy
1-1 home draw against Malaga, which
followed a 2-0 defeat at Levante.
That forced them to win the league at Camp
Nou and that they did, giving them a vital
boost ahead of next week's UEFA Champions
League final against cross-town rivals Real
Madrid in Lisbon.
That Atletico have been able to combine a
sustained push for continental silverware
alongside a successful league campaign is
testament to the season they have had.
Simeone, involved as a player in the club's
1996's success, has implemented an intense,
pressing style and that, and the excellence
of striker Diego Costa has played a key role
in their success.
Costa has netted 36 goals in 51 appearances
in all competitions this season, but could be
a doubt for the Champions League
showpiece after limping off with a hamstring
problem at Camp Nou.
Their defence has also been outstanding,
conceding just 26 goals , with Chelsea loanee
Thibaut Courtois enjoying another excellent
campaign in goal.
Atletico's triumph comes in their second full
season under Simeone, who succeeded
Gregorio Manzano in December 2011.
The champions finished with 28 wins from
their 38 league games and were applauded
by the home faithful at full-time.
