Atletico holds the career

* The fifths of Aguirre are in excess of Madrid, two points of the Champions League

The credentials were not very bright, but neither was necessary. She turned to suffer, as usual, but the goal is still approaching. Against Betis was enough that came with that affixed to Atletico in their final strides for the league, which he kept intact in the past two months, to continue his career (2-0).

The orders for Javier Aguirre in the dressing room had to be blunt. What better remedy to combat the cold bite to rival that from the first minute. And so seriously it took the rojiblancos in just two minutes to scribble the first goal. Maniche connection with the lead and Maxi, coming from behind, sent a forehand that Casto responded with a stop saving. The first warning to a Newcastle which remained standing with credit after the first hook.

The offense had to wake up because verdiblancos Sergio García did not take long to confirm his presence on the pitch. The striker Andalusia, under the eyes of lagging behind rival, right stick to the tight shot of Leo Franco. It was a momentary awakening that the striker would continue with a poison center in the heart of the athletic field. Tighten the Andalusian, forgetting the punch of his contringante. And in one of these on noqueados let them live. In the 19th minute, Maniche, very willing during the first half, teledirigía a pass to Maxi to the back of the defense, and Argentina beat Casto with another forehand to the master's signature athletic.

It was the perfect excuse to unleash the hurricane. Simao, Kun, Forlán and company began the siege of the goal of Casto. Aguero, so fast and daring as has been customary in recent matches, became the crazy side Nelson. Simao, from his band, the alarms did jump with their threats to lag behind verdiblanca. And Forlán, the most in the form of all, sent his warning to the rival goal with a header after his center partner of Argentina. The second asomó by Calderon, particularly when Maxi returned to test the reflexes of a hyperactive Casto mark with another shot from the house.

The trip seemed calm during the first part, but the tie was able to reach the edge of the rest. Sergio García shot in the hubbub in the area rojiblancos, but its launch Assunçao it clear with his head. The miracle of the Brazilian bald reassure the stand when everyone thought already in the dressing room.

Perhaps there had to stay in the Atletico players. Betis, revitalized by the peculiar pushing animated Paco Chaparro, was launched in a kamikaze plan for the tie, helped by the defensive general with the pie that it received the rival. And is that Sergio García, only to the danger by intermittent his colleague Eman, not rightly beat Leo Franco after the first of the errors behind athletic. The tip was hand in hand with the Argentine and only the arrival of Assunçao impossible, in a tireless defensive work, avoided major ills.

The Athletic continued anxiety, but confirmed that his rival gunpowder was cold. Again Sergio García, of course, is planted with Leo Franco, after his first connection with the carats Eman disappeared, but the Argentine responded with another goal paradón. And with so much condescension of Betis, Aguero decided to end the match in the absence of 10 minutes. Forlán left alone to his partner and 'Kun' did not spare. It was the end point. The race for the Champions League remains intact.

Maxi holds the first of both the rojiblancos. (Photo: AFP)

Result Primera Division: 14 December 2008

Almeria 1 - 1 Racing Santander

Athletic Bilbao 3 - 0 Sporting Gijon

Getafe 4 - 1 Mallorca

Malaga 2 - 0 Numancia

Recreativo Huelva 1 - 0 Osasuna

Valladolid 3 - 0 Deportivo La Coruna

Sevilla 1 - 0 Villarreal

Atletico Madrid 2 - 0 Real Betis