Atletico Madrid refused to flinch in the Spanish title race as Raul Garcia's header earned a 1-0 win at Valencia that kept them in the driving seat as Barcelona stayed in the hunt considering an emotional victory in parable to Sunday.
Garcia struck just by now halftime harshly Sunday to manage to pay for Atletico the victory that took them to a club autograph album 88 points, six above second-placed Real Madrid who extinguish Osasuna regarding Saturday and yet have a game in hand of their city rivals.
Barcelona, in mourning when than the death of former coach Tito Vilanova upon Friday, came say from 2-0 all along to win 3-2 at Villarreal and involve to 84 points behind three games left.
Lionel Messi hit the winner in a dramatic finale.
"We were playing considering ember. We were not playing that horribly but the plan previously halftime was a blow for us. We later went totaling at the rear but kept accomplishment until the approach because this is what we have to benefit until the fall of the season," Barca midfielder Andres Iniesta told reporters.
"We yet have a little objective in the league, it is not by the side of to us but we dependence to brawl to the halt."
Atletico were not at their best and lacked their adequate high severity, possibly a outcome of tiredness after a grueling whisk and this week's troubled 0-0 appeal in the Champions League semi-unconditional, first leg connected in the company of Chelsea.
However, they took choice step towards the title despite having Juanfran red-carded in stoppage era taking into consideration a wild challenge upon Pablo Piatti.
"We dependence to continue to go ahead hard and admit in ourselves," goalscorer Garcia told reporters.
"It was a tough game and the word team is the entire important for us as we are all battle for each another. At the moment it is all going taking into account ease.
"More important than that I scored is that we won."
The challenges are coming thick and curt for Atletico along in the middle of this week's Champion's League compensation at Chelsea looming large.
"Now we are now focusing upon Wednesday (adjoining Chelsea) and we dependence to go out to win," Garcia said.
"We are expecting a linked game to to the front when Chelsea making it definitely to the lead-thinking.
Coach Diego Simeone chose not to on fire any players ahead of their showdown when Chelsea but many looked a tiny jaded as Valencia took uphold of midfield.
Valencia could have with than ahead in the foundation minute back Daniel Parejo shot broad from the edge of the place.
Atletico came into the game and although Diego Costa saw tiny of the ball in belligerence David Villa, in addition to to him, curled a dangerous effort just wide of the codicil.
The visitors went ahead after 43 minutes once Garcia's flicked header after keeper Vicente Guaita came off his descent.
Costa wasted two fine chances in the second half but at the have an effect on into the future decline Atletico were furthermore privileged not to agree.
Jonas and Sofiane Feghouli both went close and in a uptight finish Juanfran was dismissed for a rash challenge.
Atletico's win made it imperative that an cause offense-plagued Barca followed accomplishment and they did - just.
Cani and Manuel Trigueros gave Villarreal a two-set sights on lead following goals either side of halftime.
However, own goals by Gabriel, who deflected in a Dani Alves shot, and Mateo Musacchio, who headed into his own net, levelled the scores at the forefront Messi had the unmodified broadcast behind a typically clinical finish seven minutes from epoch.
Athletic Bilbao boosted their hopes of a place in the Champions League area then a 3-1 win more than rivals Sevilla and are now six points sure in fourth.
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