MADRID: Champions Atletico Madrid leapfrogged Barcelona into second place in La Liga with 2-0 win over Deportivo la Coruna yesterday, which was overshadowed by clashes between rival fans before kick-off.
At least one supporter is believed to have been seriously injured in the incidents that took place close to the ground.
The Spanish football league said in a statement it had tried to postpone the game at the last minute, but it hadn’t been possible. On the field, Atletico once again relied on their expertise from set-pieces to claim all three points as Saul Niguez headed in from Koke’s free-kick just before half-time.
And Arda Turan’s deflected effort doubled their advantage 10 minutes after the break as Deportivo could only clear a corner to the edge of the area where the Turkish international was lurking.
Victory takes Atletico a point ahead of Barcelona and back to within four points of leaders Real Madrid, but Barca can reclaim second spot when they visit Valencia.
Atletico started much the brighter despite the understandably subdued atmosphere at the Vicente Calderon and could have been in front twice in the opening 10 minutes.
Mario Mandzukic scored his first hat-trick for Atletico in the 4-0 mauling of Olympiakos in midweek and was inches away from finding the net again when he headed Koke’s fine cross on to the post. AFP
