Atlético Madrid beat Valencia and are already ahead of Barcelona

Atlético Madrid managed to win Sunday’s La Liga match, beating Valencia 2:0 at home. The match was played with one goal, the underdog was definitely eliminated by the second goal of the home team. Diego Simeone’s charges thus replaced Barcelona in third place.

Antoine Griezmann sent the first shot, but from a direct kick he sent the ball only into the wall. In the 17th minute, the French striker fired again, but the attempt from the small area was covered by the gloves of goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Griezmann was one of the most active players in the first 25 minutes, but his next shot again hit only the centre of the goal. Two minutes later, Samuel Lino tried his luck, but the visiting goalkeeper intervened again with ease.

In the 36th minute, the visitors wanted a penalty after a handball by stopper Stefan Savic, but the head referee did not whistle it even after consulting VAR. In the fifth minute of stoppage time, on the other hand, the home side were delighted when Lino struck after a pass from Griezmann. A less-than-football first half ended with the home side leading 1-0.

Atlético added a goal after the change of sides and won 2:0

After the change of sides, the game continued at a slow pace. Savic made a positive impact in the 54th minute, but his header was caught by the away goalkeeper.

Four minutes later, it was two goals to the good, with Memphis Depay clearing the ball into the empty net. And it could have been even worse when a few minutes later José Gaya fouled in the whitewash. But the head referee called the penalty after watching the replay.

Atlético controlled the end of the game, Diego Simeone’s good form and defensive experience was evident. Valencia didn’t get into any real pressure, only taking two corners at the end, which didn’t go in at all.

The home side jumped up to third place in the table, one point ahead of Barcelona, after a 2-0 win. They are 11 points behind first place, but have a game in hand. Valencia are in eighth place in the cup, with Betis Sevilla just two points better off in seventh.

Source: La Liga