Luis Suarez, the crucial ingredient of Atletico's title chase

What is the difference between Atletico and Athletic? Besides those few letters in their names and the fact that Atletico is from Madrid and Athletic - the symbol of the Basque Country - from Bilbao, the 30 points margin in Madrid's favour tells a lot about those two sides. But it would be totally insignificant at the end of the day if it wasn't for the outstanding Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez, who is increasingly becoming Diego Simeone's guarding angel.

In the previous round, Suarez netted for a point against Real Madrid and tonight scored from the penalty spot to provide his team with a vital victory in their championship title chase. In the beginning, it seemed more than traumatic for the favourites from the Spanish capital at their Wanda Metropolitano stadium.

The visitors from Bilbao opened the scoring almost accidentally. Inaki Williams launched a perfect cross, Athletic's captain Iker Muniain hit it with his right, but incidentally, it touched his left leg also, changing the ball's direction and fooled Oblak for an opener.

Diego Simeone's side looked very nervous at the moment, thus being aware that Barcelona were only two points behind them on the table. Joao Felix and Luis Suarez just couldn't cut through Athletic's formidable defensive line. At least, not until the added time in the first half. Lemar was fast on the left-wing, put down a perfectly-timed cross, and the potent Marcos Llorente's header tied the game at one.

Where they stopped in the first period of the tie, the home slot continued right after the break. In truth, it was a one-man-show five minutes into the second half. Suarez, firstly, dribbled on the right flank, the opponents' defender brought him down, and although it looked like a dive, the referee decided it was a penalty for Atletico. The Uruguayan striker was confident from the spot, and Los Colchoneros got themselves a significant victory that could prove crucial in their title race.

LA LIGA

rearranged fixture

Wednesday

Atletico de Madrid - Athletic Club 2-1 (1-1)

/Llorente 45, Suarez 51 pen - Muniain 21/