• Classification This is the League

Now that the issues in Europe are beginning to be resolved, now that the moment of truth in the season arrives without remedy and Atlético is so far from everything, so orphaned of objectives, now its best version comes. The fullness of a team with a burden that does not stop regretting, that disastrous start, of those sad days before the World Cup. Suddenly, fire, joy, communion. All well threaded by Griezmann. Valencia suffered that cyclone in the Metropolitano. [3-0: Narration and statistics]

Launched the Atlético does not know where, with the wind in favor, perhaps until they get to squeeze Real Madrid for second place if the Whites loosen. 10 games without falling in the League, five victories in the last six appointments, but above all with a confidence in himself, in his virtues, as it had been a long time since the Cholo group was seen. His exercise in electric football against the needy Valencia of Rubén Baraja was a display of rhythm from start to finish. A party.

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The farewell of Joao Felix that freed Atlético de Madrid

  • Writing: LUCAS SÁEZ-BRAVO Madrid

The farewell of Joao Felix that freed Atlético de Madrid

Because now this Atletico that does nothing cracked at the slightest win in every way. Scoring like against Sevilla, suffering like Monday in Montilivi or sweeping like last night in a euphoric Metropolitan. With a recognizable eleven, just De Paul's foray into Lemar, and dominating without blush from the start. It changed the inertia and changed the attitude. At 20 minutes the red-and-whites had already enjoyed two very clear chances in the head first and in the boots after Memphis. The first shot was not specified by the Dutchman; the second, after a great triangulation at the first touch with Mario Hermoso in the area as a surprise guest, was miraculously avoided by Mamardashvili.

Goal disallowed

In the third, Griezmann did not forgive. This time it was his own merit and demerit of others, with the visiting midfield leaving Marcos Llorente to roam at ease, who assisted the French for the first goal of the night. Hugo Duro's equaliser was annulled by the VAR for a stomp on Depay that the referee did not appreciate in the first instance. Despite that flash, Valencia ended up asking for rest like an exhausted boxer begs for a break between rounds.

Llorente and Griezmann.PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOUAFP

It is a deranged team and fortune is usually elusive to delve into their drama. His spirit of redemption was quickly thwarted by Atletico on the return of the break. Carrasco was going to round off his fantastic display on the left with a goal after wall with De Paul. The goal Mamardashvili had saved from Llorente just 15 seconds earlier.

It is not an easy task that Baraja has ahead. Save this depressed group from relegation that is Valencia. Last week's win against Osasuna was an oxygen ball, but the signs are more than worrying: last night was their seventh away defeat, the sixth in a row without even scoring a goal. His defense is gloomy.

Because the sentence was not long in coming. Again a moral blow. If Baraja was looking for a reaction to the changes, it was Simeone's team that took immediate effect. Because now everything is going well. Two minutes after entering, Morata, in one of those cuts so characteristic of his, served a great pass for Lemar's shot, also just out. Not even Lino – on loan from Atletico – was able to make the goal of honor: he crashed into Oblak's stick.

Atletico sleeps five points behind Madrid, from second place that was nothing ago an unattainable sky. A friendly calendar beyond the visit to the Camp Nou but above all a set of players at the top of the season. Beyond the excellence of Griezmann, what a night Carrasco's, Hermoso's, Llorente's, Koke's...

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  • Valence
  • Mark Llorente