Osasuna Vs. Atletico Madrid, 2012 La Liga: Rojiblancos Get Three Points Closer To Champions League

Whatever Diego Simone has done at Atletico Madrid, it's working. The team got off to an extremely disappointing start in La Liga, but they've ripped off a credible road draw and three wins since he took over the reigns. They didn't exactly put together a beautiful display against Osasuna on Monday, but their 1-0 victory was enough to catapult them to eighth place, just two points out of a Champions League place.

Osasuna are a team that have kept themselves in La Liga on a low budget because of their ability to squeak out 1-1 and 0-0 draws against superior sides, but one set piece and a great performance by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois helped Atleti to a win. The game was one of the most physical that anyone will see in La Liga this season; it featured 39 fouls and the referee was extremely lenient. The final 10 minutes was especially physical and chaotic, as tons of fouls went uncalled and Courtois made multiple saves to preserve his team's victory.

The match's lone goal came in the 40th minute, scored by central defender Diego Godin on a corner kick. Koke took the corner to the near post, where it was flicked towards the goal by Adrian. Radamel Falcao pounced and took a shot, which was blocked well by Andres Fernandez. His defenders did him no favors, however, and Godin put the rebound into the back of the net, scoring a goal that would eventually give the Rojiblancos a vital three points.