Antoine Griezmann, the Frenchman has shown why fans love him so much by striking a header in last few minutes of the match. With this victory, Atletico puts their hopes alive for Champions League.
Before the start of the match between Atletico and Granada, several bad news rolled over both sides as Augusto Fernandez and Torres ruled out due o fitness issue where Carcela is suffering a suspension. The team spirit of Atletico would be quite high as they have won their last three matches against Granada. According to current standing from LaLiga Table, Atletico Madrid is safely placed at the 4th position after top rated Barca, Real Madrid and Sevilla, While Granada is placed at 18th position. So it’s going to be a treat for Madrid to level up their ratings to the third position. Granada has never defeated Atletico Madrid in LaLiga since November 1973.
As the match begins in Los Carmenes stadium Atletico forward Antoine Griezmann and Yannick Carrasco played attacking soccer from both ends as Carrasco missed the goal in the 5’. Granada, on the other hand, had a defensive strategy of 5-4-1. Several close encounters were seen which as Atletico took 16 shots out of which 6 shots were on target whereas Granada took only 2 shots on target. Attacking strategy of Atletico fetched them 6 offside’s and 9 corners. Just before the half time, Griezmann missed a shot close to the goal post and the match was equally balanced till the Halftime at 0-0.
From the start of the second half, it was evident the Atletico was not going to stop attacking as in 46’ they replaced Thomas (midfielder) with Correa (striker) and followed 4-4-2 attacking ratio. Atletico kept their attacking game on and finally in the 84’ Antoine Griezmann scored through a diving header off a cross by Koke.
The lead took them 1-0 up in a close fought encounter. The French forward Antoine Griezmann has evolved himself as the most trusted player as he makes the opponent feel his presence on the ground from his attacking play. In today’s game, in particular, Griezmann struggled to involve himself in play as he flicked wide when Carrasco picked him out from free-kick. In the last few minutes of the game Granada (midfielder), Mubarak Wakaso lunged on Griezmann and challenged referee decision resulting in the yellow card and finally got red card means he has to suffer a suspension for next match. Atletico Madrid, next match is with Sevilla on 19 March which will not less than a final as the winner will get a direct ticket to the Champions League.
MATCH STATUS:
- With this win, Atletico Madrid moved to the 3rd position ahead of Sevilla just five points difference to the topped placed Barcelona and Real Madrid.
- Antoine Griezmann netted his fourth goal in last four matches and showed everyone why he is most wanted European Football Striker.
- From the LaLiga standings, the top three teams will automatically qualify for the Champions League while the fourth-placed team has to go through the playoff.
- Atletico is undefeated from last five LaLiga away games with 2 wins and 3 draws under their belt their best performance since September 2015.
