Atlético cheers up with goals before the Bernabéu

Atlético cheers up with goals before the Bernabéu

Those of 'Cholo', with 10 minutes of offensive trance, defend the 'Top 4' at the cost of a falling Valladolid

MADRID, 21 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Atlético de Madrid thrashed Real Valladolid (3-0) this Saturday on matchday 18 of LaLiga Santander, solving their goal problem in 10 minutes of offensive euphoria in the first half, led by Antoine Griezmann to defend the Champions League zone and fill with morale before the crossing with Real Madrid in the Cup.

Diego Pablo Simeone's men took a step forward to scare away the ghosts of the first leg of the season, who seemed to remain on hiatus for the World Cup, although without having them all with them. Atlético looked like another without coming to fruition and Pucela suffered from the goal-scoring hunger that the locals satisfied with Álvaro Morata, Griezmann himself and Mario Hermoso.

The Cívitas Metropolitano came crashing down with that offensive gale and it didn't take long for them to remember Madrid, a rival for a place in the Copa del Rey semifinals, this Thursday at the Santiago Bernabéu. In addition, the three points keep the rojiblanco fourth place safe for another week, while Pucela remains within a shot of relegation.

The 'Cholo' eleven pointed to a lively afternoon and after five minutes the locals had already arrived three times in danger. The bad thing for Atlético was that Pacheta's men were also encouraged to reach the rival goal, although with less clarity. Valladolid even gained prominence on the pitch at times, but the rojiblanca quality shone from 18' to 28'.

Koke filtered Griezmann between the lines and the Frenchman lengthened his heel so that Morata, with a luxurious cut, beat Masip (1-0) with a calm that he seemed not to have due to the desire and obligation to score. The smile was general in the Metropolitan, but Atleti wanted more. Correa had another good one and in the local siege the second came, from Griezmann himself in a small area.

Simeone's men went into the kitchen and Hermoso, after seeing a header withdrawn, signed the third in a free kick kicked by the Frenchman. Valladolid asked for the time and, after the break, resumed the script that was cut short in the first half, with arrival and a little more intention to look for an almost unprecedented Oblak.

Aguado brushed the post with a shot from the edge and Atlético, relaxed as might be expected, let the clock run with the changes. The bad news was Llorente's injury, with the entry of De Paul and Carrasco, both whistled by the majority for their disparate performance with Argentina and his club and, in the case of the Belgian, his apparent willingness to leave the club. The 'Cholo' took the opportunity to rotate thinking about the cup derby.

Valladolid still did not shoot on goal, with no news from Weismann or Sergio León, and a deflected shot from Kike. Nor did Fresneda and Gonzalo Plata give much more, while the Madrid team went back into a trance. Masip prevented Correa's goal and multiplied against Carrasco and a debut Memphis.

The clash left the perfect script for the debut of the Dutchman, 15 minutes, recently arrived from Barça. With Valladolid broken, Atlético had arrivals of all kinds, although it went too far, without needing more goals to reaffirm their intention to fight this campaign. Those of Pacheta concede their fifth straight defeat.

--RESULT: ATLÉTICO DE MADRID, 3 - REAL VALLADOLID, 0. (3-0, at halftime).

ATHLETIC MADRID: Oblak; Molina, Witsel, Hermoso, Reinildo; Llorente (De Paul, min.56), Koke (Saúl, min.75), Lemar (Kondogbia, min.59), Griezmann (Carrasco, min.56; Correa and Morata (Memphis, min.75).

REAL VALLADOLID: Masip; Luis Pérez (Fresneda, min.60), Javi Sánchez (Rosa, min.68); El Yamiq, David Torres, Olaza (Gonzalo Plata, min.60); Aguado, Kike (Roque Mesa, min.75); Óscar Plano, Weismann and Sergio León (Sergi Guardiola, min.75).

1 - 0, min. 18, Morata.

2 - 0, min.23, Griezmann.

3 - 0, min.28, Beautiful.

--REFEREE: De Burgos Bengoetxea (C. Vasco). He admonished Reinildo (min.36) by Atlético. And to Kike (min.38) in Valladolid.

--STADIUM: Cívitas Metropolitano, 53,253 spectators.