An assist in 'Scaloneta' mode for De Paul in the triumph of Atlético de Madrid, who recovered and is still on fire in Spain

The elimination of the Copa del Rey in the classic against Real Madrid had been another blow for the season of

led by

.

For this reason, this Sunday, the visit to

had a more emotional value than the possible three points.

And the joy of the 'Colchonero' came in 'Scaloneta' mode:

got a

for the 1-0 that allows him to continue in the top positions of LaLiga in Spain.

Led by a great Antoine Griezmann and the superb saves by Jan Oblak, those led by Simeone found the fault in the 'rojillo' wall after 74 minutes, with a precise 40-meter long pass from De Paul to Saúl Ñiguez, who defined with a powerful right hand to the near post -hadn't scored for two years- and sealed the win.

De Paul's attendance was reminiscent of the one at the

, who scored the winning goal and the title for the Argentine National Team in the 2021 Copa América.

"The facet of attending is what I like the most. Saúl also deserved it because of how he has been working and his confidence. We are all important here

," De Paul assured in statements to official television.

It is the second pass-goal of the "Motorcito" in Diego Simeone's team, which was how he got up after the tough defeat in the classic against Real Madrid (3-1) for the Copa del Rey, last Thursday.

"We wanted to come show our faces, to recover after a blow that was undeserved. The way to do it was to continue in the same line and it is a victory that gives us a lot in the mood," he

said.

De Paul was replaced three minutes from the end by the Belgian

and

left the pitch 20' into the second half for

.

Nahuel Molina from Cordoba completed the entire match.

On his side,

started as a starter at Osasuna, but left the pitch 15 minutes into the match.

The rojiblanco team reached 34 points, four behind Real Sociedad (3rd), which this Sunday visits Real Madrid, second with 41 and forced to win if they do not want to let the leader Barcelona escape, who defeated 1-0 on Saturday to Girona and adds 47 units.

Threatening Atlético's fourth place are Villarreal, 5th with 31 points before hosting Rayo (9th) on Monday, and Betis, 6th with the same points after beating Getafe (18th) on Saturday, but who has one game less.

look too

Diego Simeone set a deadline for his work at Atlético de Madrid: "My contract depends a lot on how we end the season"

Copa del Rey: Atlético de Madrid won it with a goal made in Scaloneta but Real advanced to the semifinals after a perfect extension

Rodrigo De Paul and his bench to Nico Paz after the elimination of Sub20: "Enjoy wearing the most beautiful shirt"