Griezmann shows Cavani the task

Griezmann shows Cavani the task

Atlético takes advantage of a flash to take three valuable points from Mestalla against a willing Valencia, but without power up

MADRID, 30 Ago. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Atlético de Madrid returned to the path of victory by extracting three valuable points this Monday from an always complicated feud like Mestalla, where they beat a willing Valencia by the minimum (0-1), but who showed that they need to Incorporate Edinson Cavani to alleviate your problems above.

The veteran Uruguayan striker was able to check from the stands of his new stadium the evolution of the team for which he has signed for two seasons and that he could not get anything positive from the first candidate who visited him. In a match that was too tight at times, Antoine Griezmann, as soon as he came out onto the field, gave the victory to the visitors, who, although they did not dominate, did have occasions that resisted the locals.

The Frenchman's goal unraveled a game for his team that started with a lot of rhythm and too many inaccuracies, especially on the Atlético side, where 'Cholo' Simeone opted for muscle to the detriment of creativity with the debut of Kondogbia together with De Paul and Koke. The locals came out better and took control from the start with momentum, especially on their right side with Samu Castillejo and Correia, although without much success in terms of occasions.

The rojiblanco team did give a first warning with a good run from the right by Marcos Llorente, whose shipment Álvaro Morata could not finish off adequately. Shortly after, Musah led before some passivity of the rival defense and his powerful shot surprised Oblak, but the goal was annulled by the VAR for a previous foul on Joao Felix.

The Portuguese was in charge of giving another good warning to the visitors with a powerful shot from Mamardashvili, while the local reply came with a shot from Comert that went close to Oblak's post. The red withdrawal by the VAR to Correia for knocking down Morata when he left alone, although somewhat tilted, further fueled the spirits in the stands before the break that concluded with Gattuso's men pressing, but with the national team striker enjoying the best occasion and running into his hand in hand with the Georgian goalkeeper.

Simeone put Carrasco in place of the cautioned Saúl for a second half where Valencia started with more vigor again and having more control of the match. Atlético continued to defend well, but was unable to link up a long possession, overwhelmed by the 'che' pressure and despite the fact that the pace dropped, also in the lively stands. A weak shot by Samu Castillejo was one of the highlights of the first quarter of an hour.

To alleviate that little offensive mordant and seek more fluidity, Simeone withdrew the physique of Kondogbia and De Paul to introduce something more exquisite and arrival with Lemar and Griezmann. And in the first time that both touched the ball, it was 0-1. The midfielder stole, drove and assisted the striker, whose shot hit Carlos Soler to leave Mamardashvili without options.

The goal favored the rojiblancos, who began to find more space to launch their counterattacks with their freshmen against a Valencia that was also looking for solutions with the changes, especially with the entry of Maxi Gómez and the young and debutant Fran Pérez and Diego Lopez. Mamardashvili gave his men another life with two stops against Carrasco and Griezmann and although the 'che' did not give up, they lacked lucidity in the final meters to save at least one point.

--RESULT: VALENCIA, 0 - ATLÉTICO DE MADRID, 1 (0-0, at halftime)

VALENCIA: Mamardashvili; Correia (Foulquier, min.69), Comert, Diakhaby, Lato (Diego López, min.81); Musah, Guillamón (Nico González, min. 69), Soler; Castillejo (Fran Pérez, min.74), Marcos André (Maxi Gómez, min.74) and Samuel Lino.

ATLETICO DE MADRID: Oblak; Llorente, Giménez, Witsel, Reinildo, Saúl (Carrasco, min.46); De Paul (Griezmann, min.64), Kondogbia (Lemar, min.64), Koke; Joao Félix (Cunha, min.83) and Morata (Correa, min.83).

0-1, minute 66. Griezmann.

--REFEREE: Cuadra Fernández (Balearic C.). He admonished Marcos André (min.18), Gattuso (min.25), Correia (min.41), Comert (min.76), Fran Pérez (min.83), for Valencia, and Saúl (min.14) , Simeone (min.25), Reinildo (min.27), Joao Felix (min.55), for Atlético.

--STADIUM: Mestalla.