Villarreal vs. Atletico Madrid: Winners and Losers from La Liga
Villarreal beat Atletico Madrid 1-0 at El Madrigal to soar to the top of La Liga.
After Real Madrid drew at home against Malaga, most saw Diego Simeone's side's trip to Spain's east coast as a chance to usurp their rivals in the table.
Unfortunately for the Rojiblancos, they tumbled to their second defeat of the season, thanks to Leo Baptistao's 14th-minute goal.
Here are the winners and losers from Saturday's game.
Winner: Leo Baptistao
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Leo Baptistao is an Atletico Madrid player, but he won the game for Villarreal.
They signed him from Rayo Vallecano in the summer of 2013, but after a few months they loan him out.
Since then he's been at Real Betis, Rayo Vallecano and Villarreal, never getting a look in at his parent side.
So it's no surprise he chose to celebrate his goal against them here; it was a chance for him to show Diego Simeone what he's missing out on.
Baptistao played a good one-two with Roberto Soldado before firing low past Jan Oblak.
It was a fine finish and one that settled the game and gave his team the three points.
This was a minor point proved by the forward to the club who own him.
Loser: Jackson Martinez
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The former Porto striker got the start but hauled off at half-time after a sluggish display.
Jackson Martinez helped to link some passages of play but wasn't much of a threat in front of goal.
For someone who cost €35million, the Atletico fans will be expecting more.
Diego Simeone believes that more is coming from the Colombian, saying after the game, per Sport: "He's a very important player for us and he knows that he has to grow a lot still. But we are confident in him until death. Jackson will appear at the most important and key moments. Hopefully he'll appear in these moments too."
That means that although he was a loser in this game, better times are likely to lie ahead for the hitman.
Winner: Barcelona
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Barcelona know all about how dangerous Atletico Madrid can be.
They welcomed the Rojiblancos to Camp Nou on the final day of the 2013-14 season and saw Diego Simeone's men win the league title.
And after Lionel Messi got injured earlier in the day, things seemed to be going terribly for Luis Enrique and his men.
But Real Madrid dropped two points against Malaga at home, and then Atletico fell to Villarreal away.
That means that when the Madrid derby takes place next week, both teams will be coming into it from a negative perspective, while one or both sides will also drop points for a second week in a row.
Atletico look strong this season, so for them to lose this game—so soon after losing to Barcelona—will be a pleasing sign for the reigning Spanish champions.
Loser: Diego Simeone
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Atletico Madrid's coach has an excellent squad with plenty of options.
However, at the moment it doesn't seem like he's settled on a favoured first XI.
That means that many players don't have the chance to find their form or maintain it if they are playing well.
Jackson Martinez, Luciano Vietto, Angel Correa and Fernando Torres are all fighting for playing time alongside Antoine Griezmann.
However, it may be time for Cholo to decide which of them he wants to be a regular starter and go from there.
The likes of Jackson can't build up his form if he only features in bits and starts here and there.
Winner: La Liga
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People often criticise the Spanish top flight for being a battle between two sides, Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Atletico crashed that party in the 2013-14 season and look like they are here to stay.
But the strength in depth in other sides is also hugely impressive.
Before Saturday in La Liga, just one point separated the top five, and yet the most unlikely of those five now leads the table.
Villarreal strengthened impressively over the summer, despite losing Luciano Vietto to Atletico, which means they will be able to challenge Sevilla and Valencia for fourth place.
So it's no surprise that they were capable of turning over a team such as Atletico and have won their last five games in a row.
