BARCELONA — A ferocious drive by Jose Maria Gimenez set Atletico Madrid on its way to a 2-0 victory at Elche that moved them into second place in La Liga Saturday. Diego Simeone's side is better known for its aerial threat at set-plays but it showed versatility to work a short corner to center back Gimenez on the edge of the area and he lashed into the net after 15 minutes. It was a solid display from Atletico, whose La Liga match last weekend against Deportivo La Coruna was overshadowed by the death of a fan in apparently organized fighting near their Calderon stadium. Mario Mandzukic finished clinically eight minutes into the second half to seal a victory that sees it leapfrog Barcelona by one point. Schalke beats Stuttgart Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting scored a hat trick as Schalke sent Stuttgart to the bottom of the Bundesliga table with a 4-0 victory Saturday. Wolfsburg confirmed its second place by winning 3-1 in Hannover. Borussia Moenchengladbach ended a three-match losing streak by beating Hertha Berlin 3-2 and is now sixth. Schalke's victory moved it into fifth. Paderborn got a late goal to salvage a 1-1 draw with Freiburg, while Augsburg also scored late to come from behind for a 2-1 victory in Cologne and its fourth consecutive win. Borussia Dortmund earned a much-needed confidence boosting 1-0 victory over Hoffenheim Friday to lift itself from the bottom of the table. Fiorentina holds Juventus Juventus' march to a fourth successive title was halted Friday as it was held to a goalless draw at fierce rival Fiorentina in Serie A. Massimiliano Allegri's side moved four points clear . – Agencies
