Atletico Madrid battle past resilient Almeria to preserve home record
Atletico thought they had made the perfect start when after five minutes a half clearance ricocheted off the shoulder of Samuel Lino and towards Antoine Griezmann, who swivelled and struck the half-volley past goalkeeper Luís Maximiano, only for VAR to rule it out for offside.
That did not quell the hosts’ domination, as both Rodrigo de Paul and Angel Correa went close before they finally took the lead in the 18th minute. Griezmann won the ball wide on the left and fed Alvaro Morata who kept his nerve to beat his marker and go around the goalkeeper, slotting home his eighth league goal of the season.
The second arrived five minutes later, with Almeria again losing possession to Griezmann. His through ball found Marcos Llorente, who got to the by-line and played a well-timed pass across goal for Correa to tap in.
De Paul’s free-kick - well tipped over by Maximiliano - was the closest Los Colchoneros came to adding a third before the break, but it was Almeria who ended the half the stronger, going close through Leo Baptistao.
The visitors, without a goal in three matches in all competitions, continued to threaten after half-time, as Sergio Arribas went close following a clever corner routine before Adri Embarba’s diving header forced Jan Oblak into action.
Just after the hour mark, they got their reward when Alejandro Pozo’s shot deflected off teammate Baptistao, which made life awkward for Oblak, who made the save but could not get the ball safe, allowing Baptistao to convert the rebound.
Gaizka Garitano’s men even came close to equalising soon after as Oblak saved from Arribas after the forward’s intricate one-two with Embarba.
Los Rojiblancos went for broke in the final stages, but could not find a second goal, as Diego Simeone’s men held on to record their eighth home win of the campaign, and their ninth league victory from nine matches when scoring first.
Despite scoring for the first time in three matches, Almeria remain on four points and still await a first-ever win at Atletico.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid)
