With two assists, Antoine Griezmann led Atlético Madrid to a 5-2 victory in Valladolid on Sunday for the 32nd day of La Liga, and the Colchoneros thus return to two points behind Real Madrid (2nd with 68 points), winner of Almeria 4-2 on Saturday.
It was first Nahuel Molina who opened the scoring by concluding a long opening in depth signed José Maria Gimenez (20th), then “Grizou” deposited a free kick on the head of the Uruguayan (24th) before offer the ball 3-0 to Alvaro Morata (38th) after a superb control from the Spanish international. Just before the break (40th), Cyle Larin reduced the gap on penalty after an elbow from Mario Hermoso in the face of Gonzalo Plata in an aerial duel, then on returning from the locker room, Sergio Escudero sounded the revolt with a header uncrossed on corner.
And the “Pucelanos” came very close to equalizing with Sergio Leon’s header which hit the edge of Ivo Grbic’s cages two minutes later (76th)… but it was Diego Simeone’s men who left with the three points. But Joaquin Fernandez put an end to all hope by scoring against his camp on a breakthrough by Angel Correa at the very end of the match (86th), then Memphis Depay sealed the 5-2 against in the 90th 3.
Untenable since the end of the World Cup, Griezmann continues his harvest: the 2018 world champion scored twice on April 16 against Almeria (2-1), and delivered two assists against Mallorca on Wednesday (3-1), before his performance this Sunday in Valladolid.
The Frenchman is the best passer in La Liga, and the most productive player in the Spanish championship by accumulating his assists (12) and goals (11), ahead of superstars like Robert Lewandowski or Karim Benzema. With his bright pass on the first goal and his headed goal, Gimenez also redeemed himself with his teammates, a fortnight after the goal he had scored against his side by deflecting a cross from Leo Baptistao in his own cages against Almeria (final victory 2-1).
Ditto for Morata, who could have tripled the bet a few minutes before his goal from a one-two with Griezmann, with a ball stolen over the opposing goalkeeper and released in extremis by Cameroonian Martin Hongla (28th).
In the other matches of the day, Espanyol Barcelona dominated Getafe 1-0 at home, and the two teams find themselves tied at 31 points in the red zone, two points behind Valencia CF, first non-relegation despite their 2-1 loss in Cadiz.
Villarreal, for its part, has activated the “Europe” mode: Quique Setién’s men have outclassed Celta Vigo 3-1 thanks in particular to an express double from the Senegalese Nicolas Jackson (2nd, 12th), and consolidate their 5th place in the standings. synonymous with a ticket to the Europa League.
