Atletico Madrid secured its third consecutive LaLiga win with a straightforward 3-0 residence victory in opposition to Valencia on Saturday, as objectives from Antoine Griezmann, Yannick Carrasco and Thomas Lemar prolonged its unbeaten run within the Spanish league to 10 video games.
An impressed Griezmann put Atletico forward early with a close-range strike and Carrasco prolonged its benefit slotting residence a exact shot proper after the break.
Substitute Lemar wrapped up Atletico’s victory within the 67th minute, ending superbly from Alvaro Morata’s cross as Diego Simeone’s crew produced one other sensible show.
Atletico climbed to 51 factors and has tightened its grip on third place within the standings, six factors away from fourth-placed Real Sociedad and 5 behind Real Madrid in second, each with a recreation in hand.
Struggling on the backside of the desk, Valencia are seventeenth on 26 factors, stage with Getafe and Almeria however away from the relegation zone on goal-difference.
After a troublesome begin to the season, Simeone’s crew have lastly hit their stride and produced a dominant efficiency in opposition to Valencia, who had their first and solely shot on course as fulltime approached.
Atletico has performed their greatest soccer of the marketing campaign in latest weeks, primarily because of the type of Griezmann.
The 31-year-old ahead is enjoying a few of his greatest soccer in years, having excelled for France on the World Cup in Qatar, and is near the shape that earned him third place within the 2018 Ballon d’Or.
His objective in opposition to Valencia was his 151st for Atletico, whereas this season he leads LaLiga in assists (eight) and is second in objectives and assists mixed (17).
Atletico, who has conceded solely 4 objectives of their final 10 matches, have additionally rediscovered its previous defensive kind, a trademark of their aspect since Simeone arrived over a decade in the past.
Securing a top-four end and a spot in Europe’s elite membership competitors subsequent season will probably be essential for Simeone, who will probably be coming into the ultimate 12 months of his contract.
“The team is enjoying the last games. When things go this well, with the equipment plugged in you can enjoy it. The team is getting dynamic and we are moving forward,” midfielder Marcos Llorente advised Movistar Plus.
“The goal is to finish as high as possible. We only have LaLiga left, we want to do our best here, try to climb positions, there are great teams above, why not go for them? As long as it is mathematically possible, we are going to go for it all.”
