THE FRENCH SCORED, ONCE AGAIN, IN AN IMPORTANT WIN AGAINST RAYO

Griezmann decided with a golden goal

A hard-fought and difficult win of an Atlético de Madrid that adds three vital points thanks to a goal from Griezmann before playing the second leg of the Champions League semi-final in Munich.

PHOTO: Ángel Gutiérrez

ATLÉTICO  1 – 0  RAYO VALLECANO

Atlético de Madrid:
Oblak; Juanfran, Giménez, Lucas, Jesús Gámez; Kranevitter, Gabi (Koke, 46’), Óliver (Griezmann, 54’), Thomas; Correa, and Vietto (Fernando Torres, 54’).

Rayo Vallecano:
Juan Carlos; Quini, Amaya (Manucho, 64’), Crespo, Tito; Embarba, Bebé (Piti, 57’)(Jonathan Montiel, 84’), Llorente, Jozabed; Miku, and Javi Guerra.

Referee: Sánchez Martínez (Committee from Murcia). Booked the home player Kranevitter (67’); and the visiting Bebé (35’).

THE GOAL:

1-0.  55’. Griezmann
, with a cleared ball at the top, beats Juan Carlos with a left-footed drive close to the post.

Atlético de Madrid had to solve a complicated match after a tremendous effort on Wednesday against Bayern and before playing the second leg in Munich. And it was against a difficult rival because Rayo Vallecano is a difficult team. We had already learnt it in the first round of play and Jémez’s team gave us grief again.

But after a goalless first half, Simeone decided to change Gabi at the half-time for Koke, and shortly after, Torres and Griezmann substituted Vietto and Óliver. And these changes decided the match for us. Griezmann, who had been less than a minute on the field, picked up a clearance on the edge of the box to finish a lethal blow to the team from Vallecas. A goal that was a setback for the visiting team and served to win three points of gold in the race for the League. Now, we have to think about Tuesday’s match against Bayern with the calmness of adding more victories in the League. 

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