Watch out, Atlético Madrid is going retro! On their 120th anniversary, the Colchoneros outclassed Mallorca (3-1) on Wednesday for the 31st day of La Liga, and returned to two small points from Real Madrid, second with 65 points but floored (4-2) in Girona on Tuesday. Antoine Griezmann’s teammates, dressed in a blue and white jersey commemorating the club’s original tunic, conceded a goal from a corner (20th) by Matija Nastasic, lonely at the far post and happy beneficiary of a ball passed between two players …but replied with three goals.
Rodrigo de Paul equalized just before the break (45th 2), propelling into the net a ball he inherited after a strike from Griezmann repelled by former Reims goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic. Alvaro Morata put Atlético back in front after returning from the locker room (47th) with a superb header, before Yannick Carrasco, with a counterattack concluded by a dribble on the goalkeeper, sealed the victory (77th).
The score could even have been heavier in favor of Diego Simeone’s players, but the referee, who had whistled a penalty for a tackle by José Capete on Nahuel Molina (40th), finally reviewed his decision after watching the video. Thanks to this success, the Colchoneros are getting closer to Real, which fell apart the day before in Catalonia. FC Barcelona, who moves on the lawn of Rayo Vallecano in the evening (10:00 p.m.), will have the opportunity to take a 14-point lead over the Merengues at the top of the standings.
In the other game at the start of the evening, Almeria dominated Getafe (2-1) thanks to a brace from Colombian striker Luis Suarez (7th, 58th), and moved away from the red zone. Getafe, reduced to ten for a direct red card inflicted on Togolese defender Djené (45th 3), is dangerously close to relegation: Quique Flores’ men are only one point behind Valencia, the first relegated, who receives Valladolid Thursday (7:30 p.m.).
