Koke scored in just the 10th minute of the match to put Atletico Madrid up 1-0 on Barcelona at the Camp Nou.
It may be the biggest game of the year in Spain’s top flight, with Barcelona hosting Atletico Madrid at the Camp Nou. Considering Real Madrid’s struggles this season, it looks as though one of the two teams locking horns on Saturday will ultimately win the league, which is what makes the meeting so important.
Despite being on the road in hostile territory though, Atletico Madrid got off to a flying start and made it 1-0 in just the 10th minute of the match. 24-year-old Koke found the back of the net to put his side up, scoring just his third goal of the campaign.
Heading into the match, both Barcelona and Atletico Madrid were even on points sitting on 48 a piece. However, Barcelona has played one less match than their rivals, because they had FIFA Club World Cup commitments in December.
Koke has grown up through the Atletico Madrid youth system and there are few players on the squad who understand just how critical this match is for the team. He is currently in his seventh season with the senior squad, and Saturday marks his 19th league appearance already this season for the Spaniard.
He has also featured for his country on 20 different occasions, and was a member of the 2014 World Cup squad that went to Brazil.