Atletico Madrid held their nerve to beat Real Sociedad 2-1 on Wednesday and move within touching distance of winning La Liga.&nbsp;

Yannick Carrasco and Angel Correa made a dominant first half count for Atletico, who retreated in the second and were left hanging on after Igor Zubeldia blasted in for La Real with seven minutes left.&nbsp;

When the final whistle blew, Diego Simeone jogged up the tunnel at the Wanda Metropolitano, punching the air as he went, fully aware how important this result could prove.&nbsp;

"We were excellent in the first half but the suffering was unnecessary when we had so many chances," Simeone said.

Outside, Atleti fans had gathered to cheer and sing throughout a nervy contest and when victory was confirmed, fireworks filled the sky.&nbsp;

"We thank all those who are outside tonight and all those who can't come because of everything that is happening," said Atletico captain Koke. "We could hear them outside when we needed them in the last 10 minutes."

Victory puts Atletico four points clear of Barcelona in the table and five ahead of Real Madrid, with Zinedine Zidane's side playing their game in hand away at Granada on Thursday.&nbsp;

It also raises the possibility of Atletico winning the title in the penultimate round on Sunday when they play at home to Osasuna.&nbsp;

Another victory this weekend would knock Barca out of the race regardless of what the Catalans do against Celta Vigo while Real Madrid would also concede if they had not taken six points from Granada and Sunday's trip to Athletic Bilbao.&nbsp;

Sevilla, in fourth, had earlier edged past Valencia 1-0 but they can no longer overtake Atleti, given their six-point deficit and a losing head-to-head record with the leaders.&nbsp;

Youssef En-Nesyri scored his 26th goal of the season at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

The four-horse race is reduced to three and after weeks of various twists and turns, Atletico suddenly appear to have a route to the trophy.&nbsp;

In terms of the table at least, this game against fifth-placed Real Sociedad was their toughest remaining fixture, although Real Valladolid could well be fighting for survival on the final day.&nbsp;

After Granada and Athletic Bilbao, Real Madrid finish against Villarreal, who will have the Europa League final three days later. Barcelona face Celta before ending away at Eibar, who could also be battling relegation.&nbsp;

Atletico were brilliant for the first half an hour and could have scored two or three times in the first 10 minutes, Luis Suarez blasting over and Marcos Llorente spurning a chance when sent clear.&nbsp;

Carrasco showed more precision when Llorente curled in a superb cross to the back post, the winger controlling with the outside of his right foot and poking in the opener.&nbsp;

Suarez teed up the second, bustling through midfield and slipping in Correa, who drove the ball inside the far corner to put Atletico in charge.&nbsp;

But they failed to add a third in the second half, Suarez and Carrasco both guilty of wasting chances, and Real Sociedad were revived in the final 30 minutes.&nbsp;

Portu drew an excellent save from Jan Oblak and then struck the post before finally, Zubeldia smashed in when a corner landed at his feet, six yards out. Atletico survived a nail-biting finish.

Atletico Madrid held their nerve to beat Real Sociedad 2-1 on Wednesday and move within touching distance of winning La Liga. Yannick Carrasco and Angel Correa made a dominant first half count for Atletico, who retreated in the second and were left hanging on after Igor Zubeldia blasted in for La Real with seven minutes left.

Atletico Madrid held their nerve to beat Real Sociedad 2-1 on Wednesday and move within touching distance of winning La Liga. Yannick Carrasco and Angel Correa made a dominant first half count for Atletico, who retreated in the second and were left hanging on after Igor Zubeldia blasted in for La Real with seven minutes left. When the final whistle blew, Diego Simeone jogged up the tunnel at the Wanda Metropolitano, punching the air as he went, fully aware how important this result could prove. "We were excellent in the first half but the suffering was unnecessary when we had so many chances," Simeone said. Outside, Atleti fans had gathered to cheer and sing throughout a nervy contest and when victory was confirmed, fireworks filled the sky. "We thank all those who are outside tonight and all those who can't come because of everything that is happening," said Atletico captain Koke. "We could hear them outside when we needed them in the last 10 minutes." Victory puts Atletico four points clear of Barcelona in the table and five ahead of Real Madrid, with Zinedine Zidane's side playing their game in hand away at Granada on Thursday. It also raises the possibility of Atletico winning the title in the penultimate round on Sunday when they play at home to Osasuna. Another victory this weekend would knock Barca out of the race regardless of what the Catalans do against Celta Vigo while Real Madrid would also concede if they had not taken six points from Granada and Sunday's trip to Athletic Bilbao. Sevilla, in fourth, had earlier edged past Valencia 1-0 but they can no longer overtake Atleti, given their six-point deficit and a losing head-to-head record with the leaders. Youssef En-Nesyri scored his 26th goal of the season at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan. The four-horse race is reduced to three and after weeks of various twists and turns, Atletico suddenly appear to have a route to the trophy. In terms of the table at least, this game against fifth-placed Real Sociedad was their toughest remaining fixture, although Real Valladolid could well be fighting for survival on the final day. After Granada and Athletic Bilbao, Real Madrid finish against Villarreal, who will have the Europa League final three days later. Barcelona face Celta before ending away at Eibar, who could also be battling relegation. Atletico were brilliant for the first half an hour and could have scored two or three times in the first 10 minutes, Luis Suarez blasting over and Marcos Llorente spurning a chance when sent clear. Carrasco showed more precision when Llorente curled in a superb cross to the back post, the winger controlling with the outside of his right foot and poking in the opener. Suarez teed up the second, bustling through midfield and slipping in Correa, who drove the ball inside the far corner to put Atletico in charge. But they failed to add a third in the second half, Suarez and Carrasco both guilty of wasting chances, and Real Sociedad were revived in the final 30 minutes. Portu drew an excellent save from Jan Oblak and then struck the post before finally, Zubeldia smashed in when a corner landed at his feet, six yards out. Atletico survived a nail-biting finish.

Atletico edge closer to La Liga title after Real Sociedad win

The battle to remain in Spain’s top-flight this season has been nothing short of a thriller. While the top four sides in LaLiga continue to their battle for the coveted trophy, at least six teams are fiercely fighting to save their status in LaLiga in what has been a relentless relegation battle in Spain. <o:p></o:p>

On Tuesday, Elche will take on Alaves as another humdinger awaits the football fans in LaLiga’s relegation battle. While Elche are 19th in the league with 30 points in 35 matches, Alaves are sitting 16th - just outside the relegation zone - with 34 points in 35 matches in LaLiga.<o:p></o:p>

However, with not much to separate between the bottom-ranked sides in LaLiga, Elche will have both Real Valladolid and Alaves in their sights. Elche bagged a crucial win over Levante but have since lost to Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad to hover in the relegation zone.

<h2 class="MsoNormal"><o:p>Elche optimistic of surviving&nbsp;relegation:&nbsp;Fran Escriba</o:p></h2>

The Fran Escriba-managed outfit was promoted to LaLiga last season and will finish their 2020-21 campaign against Cadiz and Atletico Bilbao. However, a defeat to Alaves will leave them in a spot of bother. <o:p></o:p>

“Apart from our game, the most important one, they didn’t go against us. The results didn’t go in our favour, but neither did they go against. We have the same options and we are 6 teams in there. Obviously, the ones that have some more points have better chances. But I think we are all quite even, with a match less to go. And obviously, that makes the game. Being a direct rival, who we would overtake in the table in case of winning, it makes it a “great final”, because we had already said that the games would be finals. In the end, it affects the only team that is competing with us directly,” Elche manager Fran Escriba told WION as shared by LaLiga.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/spain-legend-iniesta-to-stay-with-japans-kobe-for-two-more-years-384256" hreflang="en">Spain legend Iniesta to stay with Japan's Kobe for two more years</a>

<o:p><img alt="Elche" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="62ce482d-cfbc-4c53-a733-4d8fb62e7663" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_94X27T.jpg" /></o:p>

Has the defeat to Real Sociedad really dented Elche’s confidence when it comes to grinding out results to save themselves from the drop? Escriba reckons the results of other teams over the weekend have cheered the squad a little bit and the optimism is going to play a major role in defining their season.<o:p></o:p>

“The disappointment of Friday, after a game in which we couldn’t do much more than we did, play a very good game in terms of will and order and so but it got conditioned right from the start. The team was not left highly affected, but it’s a defeat, although it was a conditioned one. But it’s true that the results on Saturday and Sunday have cheered us a bit. If we kept believing on Friday, obviously after the results that have left it all more or less the same, obviously, we have that optimism that people give us. Because on the streets people transmit optimism and confidence in the team, and that’s also there among&nbsp;the group,” Escriba added.

<o:p></o:p>

Meanwhile, Alaves will head into the much-awaited clash on the back of a 2-2 draw against Levante on Saturday. Manager Javier Calleja, who has been in charge of Alaves since the start of April, has made a mark in the LaLiga while winning two, drawing three and losing just one of his six matches.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/zinedine-zidane-bewildered-by-handball-decision-as-real-title-hopes-slip-384006" hreflang="en">Zinedine Zidane bewildered by handball decision as Real title hopes slip</a>

<h2 class="MsoNormal">We only know how to play to win: Javier Calleja</h2>

El Glorioso are in their fifth straight season at this level of football and had finished ninth, 14th and 11th before ending the 2019-20 campaign in the 16th spot. However, they are currently 16th in the table and are just two clear of 18th-ranked Huesca and could be in trouble with a defeat against Elche.

<img alt="Alaves" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ff20c7ff-eb55-43ae-8a4c-2a0b03179259" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Alaves.JPG" />

<o:p></o:p>

Notably, Alaves have two tough outings to close the LaLiga season as they host Granada and then face Sevilla in the final matchday.<o:p></o:p>

“It’s a really important game. We play against a direct rival, and in case of a victory, we would leave them 5 points behind with 6 left to play. So, of course, it is a fundamental game. We face it like a final, like so many others we have lived since I am here. But we know there is less time left now,” Calleja told WION as shared by LaLiga.<o:p></o:p>

“We don’t know how to play to not lose, we only know how to play to win. It’s my mindset. I don’t know how to face a game to draw. So, what I try to teach the team is not to speculate. We have to focus on the game, on what we have to do during 90 minutes and not go out and wait for it and let minutes go by and let the opponents gain terrain and feel comfortable. We have to aim for victory. We have to know how to play and be intelligent and have a cold mind. But we can’t let the minutes go by without anything happening,” the Alaves manager&nbsp;added.<o:p></o:p>

So who will bag the crucial win in the match between Elche and Alaves as the battle in the relegation zone heats up? Watch Elche CF vs Deportivo Alaves on Tuesday at 11:30 PM on Facebook Watch.<o:p></o:p>

The battle to remain in Spain’s top-flight this season has been nothing short of a thriller. While the top four sides in LaLiga continue to their battle for the coveted trophy, at least six teams are fiercely fighting to save their status in LaLiga in what has been a relentless relegation battle in Spain.

The battle to remain in Spain’s top-flight this season has been nothing short of a thriller. While the top four sides in LaLiga continue to their battle for the coveted trophy, at least six teams are fiercely fighting to save their status in LaLiga in what has been a relentless relegation battle in Spain. On Tuesday, Elche will take on Alaves as another humdinger awaits the football fans in LaLiga’s relegation battle. While Elche are 19th in the league with 30 points in 35 matches, Alaves are sitting 16th - just outside the relegation zone - with 34 points in 35 matches in LaLiga. However, with not much to separate between the bottom-ranked sides in LaLiga, Elche will have both Real Valladolid and Alaves in their sights. Elche bagged a crucial win over Levante but have since lost to Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad to hover in the relegation zone. Elche optimistic of surviving relegation: Fran Escriba The Fran Escriba-managed outfit was promoted to LaLiga last season and will finish their 2020-21 campaign against Cadiz and Atletico Bilbao. However, a defeat to Alaves will leave them in a spot of bother. “Apart from our game, the most important one, they didn’t go against us. The results didn’t go in our favour, but neither did they go against. We have the same options and we are 6 teams in there. Obviously, the ones that have some more points have better chances. But I think we are all quite even, with a match less to go. And obviously, that makes the game. Being a direct rival, who we would overtake in the table in case of winning, it makes it a “great final”, because we had already said that the games would be finals. In the end, it affects the only team that is competing with us directly,” Elche manager Fran Escriba told WION as shared by LaLiga. ALSO READ: Spain legend Iniesta to stay with Japan's Kobe for two more years Has the defeat to Real Sociedad really dented Elche’s confidence when it comes to grinding out results to save themselves from the drop? Escriba reckons the results of other teams over the weekend have cheered the squad a little bit and the optimism is going to play a major role in defining their season. “The disappointment of Friday, after a game in which we couldn’t do much more than we did, play a very good game in terms of will and order and so but it got conditioned right from the start. The team was not left highly affected, but it’s a defeat, although it was a conditioned one. But it’s true that the results on Saturday and Sunday have cheered us a bit. If we kept believing on Friday, obviously after the results that have left it all more or less the same, obviously, we have that optimism that people give us. Because on the streets people transmit optimism and confidence in the team, and that’s also there among the group,” Escriba added. Meanwhile, Alaves will head into the much-awaited clash on the back of a 2-2 draw against Levante on Saturday. Manager Javier Calleja, who has been in charge of Alaves since the start of April, has made a mark in the LaLiga while winning two, drawing three and losing just one of his six matches. ALSO READ: Zinedine Zidane bewildered by handball decision as Real title hopes slip We only know how to play to win: Javier Calleja El Glorioso are in their fifth straight season at this level of football and had finished ninth, 14th and 11th before ending the 2019-20 campaign in the 16th spot. However, they are currently 16th in the table and are just two clear of 18th-ranked Huesca and could be in trouble with a defeat against Elche. Notably, Alaves have two tough outings to close the LaLiga season as they host Granada and then face Sevilla in the final matchday. “It’s a really important game. We play against a direct rival, and in case of a victory, we would leave them 5 points behind with 6 left to play. So, of course, it is a fundamental game. We face it like a final, like so many others we have lived since I am here. But we know there is less time left now,” Calleja told WION as shared by LaLiga. “We don’t know how to play to not lose, we only know how to play to win. It’s my mindset. I don’t know how to face a game to draw. So, what I try to teach the team is not to speculate. We have to focus on the game, on what we have to do during 90 minutes and not go out and wait for it and let minutes go by and let the opponents gain terrain and feel comfortable. We have to aim for victory. We have to know how to play and be intelligent and have a cold mind. But we can’t let the minutes go by without anything happening,” the Alaves manager added. So who will bag the crucial win in the match between Elche and Alaves as the battle in the relegation zone heats up? Watch Elche CF vs Deportivo Alaves on Tuesday at 11:30 PM on Facebook Watch.

Elche vs Alaves: Battle for survival heats up in LaLiga as two head coaches keep calm

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Atletico edge closer to La Liga title after Real Sociedad win

Elche vs Alaves: Battle for survival heats up in LaLiga as two head coaches keep calm