Atlético Madrid have been crowned as La Liga champions in one of the craziest ends of the Spanish league in recent times. After holding a 14-point lead over the second place at one pont of the season, Los Colchoneros dropped key points throughout the season to keep the title race alive. Today, Simeone's men did their homework and took the win against Valladolid, helping the red and white side to their eleventh title in the Spanish top-tier.
Atlético Madrid needed to win their game to keep themselves away from any problems, but they conceded an early goal by Oscar Plano that complicated things for them. Elsewhere, Real Madrid had also conceded a goal against Villarreal, and as if fate wanted to keep things interesting, Angel Correa's equalizer in this game came moments after Los Blancos had a goal disallowed. When Real Madrid leveled their game, Luis Suárez gave Los Colchoneros a lead they would not lose with a left-footed strike, which will eventually be remembered as the cherry on top of a great season for Simeone's squad.
As stated earlier, Luis Suárez was key for Atlético's title this season just months after being shown the exit door by Barcelona. If you wonder why Atlético went all in to sign Suárez, here are a few numbers that will enlighten you on how relevant the Uruguayan was for them to claim the title.
Luis Suarez's last 16 league goals directly earned Atletico 21 points
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) May 22, 2021
The key man in the title race in LaLiga pic.twitter.com/bNHWmQPPP7
Things turned around for Atlético once Diego Simeone joined them in 2011. Why? Have a look!
The two seasons before Diego Simeone joined Atletico, they finished 9th and 7th.
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) May 22, 2021
In his nine full seasons in charge, Atletico have never finished outside the top three, winning La Liga twice pic.twitter.com/JHjAFlmnNy
El Cholo has also joined an elite list of coaches with this title for Los Colchoneros.
Only three Atletico managers have won 2+ LaLiga titles for the club:
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) May 22, 2021
Ricardo Zamora (1940, 1941)
Helenio Herrera (1950, 1951)
Diego Simeone (2014, 2021)
Never in doubt. pic.twitter.com/6hWubVJo4t
An incredible season in La Liga has come to an end, and all we can say is congratulations to Atlético Madrid after their well-deserved title win. Have a look at the goal that sealed the title for Los Colchoneros (Image might be geo-restricted).
LUIS SUAREZ!
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) May 22, 2021
The Uruguayan striker makes no mistake with his goal as he gives Atletico Madrid a 2-1 lead over Real Valladolid and can that be enough to decide the LaLiga title?#RealValladolidAtleti LIVE NOW br>CONNECT 4 https://t.co/LRYa03w6yI pic.twitter.com/NR7L63ttEJ