Atletico Madrid’s French forward Antoine Griezmann celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Spanish league football match between Club Atletico de Madrid and Real Valladolid FC at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid on January 21, 2023. (Photo by Pierre-Philippe Marcou / AFP) (Photo by PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/AFP via Getty Images)
Antoine Griezmann shone in the first half and was the key for Atlético de Madrid in the 3-0 win against Valladolid. Two assists and a goal from the French meant three important points to return to Champions League positions in La Liga. Those of Pucela continue to stagger at the bottom of the tournament.
Atleti took a few minutes to get going but once they did, they struck down Blanquivioleta. Antoine Griezmann’s show began with a cue assist to Álvaro Morata who was not far behind with luxuries: delicious hooking in the area and definition at the near post. Great goal!
From the first goal, the Colchonero took the rival ahead and quickly got the second with a good collective move culminated by a low cross from the Argentine Nahuel Molina and a scoring touch from the Frenchman to continue his great game. The clean and jerk did not stop and those led by Cholo took advantage of a knocked out opponent to achieve the third with the most prominence for Griezmann: the French player’s center and Mario Hermoso increased the score with a rebound after his own header. There was no parity in the first half.
The local lent the ball to the Pucelanos who could not harm Jan Oblak’s goal with the attempts of Álvaro Aguado but woke up after twenty minutes of the complement. Alvaro Morata, Angel Correa (shot at both sticks) and Yannick Carrasco activated the rojiblanco attack with three very clear chances.
Cholo Simeone gave his team a breather with the changes (Argentine Rodrigo De Paul entered due to Marcos Llorente’s injury) and Atleti once again waited for Valladolid to find more spaces up front.
Time ran out for the visitors and Atlético de Madrid enjoyed a quiet win with a show by Antoine Griezmann that allowed the debut of the Dutchman Memphis Depay who played just over twenty minutes after his arrival from Barcelona.
Great victory for Diego Simeone’s team! Atleti gained strength for the duel against Real Madrid for the Copa del Rey with a good football win.
