Atletico Madrid produced one among their greatest performances of the season to defeat Actual Valladolid 3-0 on Saturday, with Memphis Depay making his debut.
Actual Sociedad, third, continued their nice type with a 2-0 win at Rayo Vallecano, whereas struggling Sevilla snatched a 1-0 win over Cadiz with a late Ivan Rakitic penalty.
Atletico’s new Dutch ahead Depay, signed from Barcelona on Friday, got here off the bench within the second half however by then Antoine Griezmann’s virtuoso show had the hosts in full management on the Metropolitano.
The French ahead produced a chic help for Alvaro Morata to open the scoring after which struck the second himself.
Mario Hermoso netted the third from the rebound after his header from Griezmann’s free-kick was parried again into his path.
These three objectives in an 11-minute spell within the first half wrapped up the factors for fourth-placed Atletico.
Diego Simeone’s staff have endured a troublesome season each within the league and in addition in Europe, the place they have been eradicated, however earned a second win in seven league video games to get heading again in the precise route.
On Thursday they face rivals Actual Madrid within the Copa del Rey quarter-finals, necessary each as a derby but additionally their final practical probability of silverware this season.
“I’m very completely satisfied, more than happy with the staff’s efficiency,” Griezmann informed DAZN.
“We’ve got been doing properly for the reason that World Cup, enjoying with depth, laborious work, having possibilities up entrance, however we lacked a purpose.
“That was largely my fault, as a result of I used to be having possibilities however couldn’t get it in. This purpose will assist me quite a bit mentally to get scoring once more.”
Invigorated by the cup draw and Depay’s arrival, Atletico began brilliantly.
Griezmann’s beautiful back-flick performed in Morata, who lower inside and drilled dwelling on the close to put up.
5 minutes later Griezmann doubled Atletico’s lead, blasting dwelling Nahuel Molina’s cross.
Hermoso’s third sealed the win and Atletico spurned additional possibilities to extend their successful margin.
The victory brings Atletico inside 10 factors of leaders Barcelona, albeit having performed two additional video games.
The Catalans host Getafe on Sunday, whereas second-placed Actual Madrid journey to face Athletic Bilbao.
Actual contenders
Actual Sociedad beat Rayo Vallecano earlier Saturday to drag degree on 38 factors with Actual Madrid.
The guests opened the scoring at Vallecas after quarter-hour when veteran playmaker David Silva arrange Norwegian striker Alexander Sorloth, who prodded dwelling.
The striker now has 5 objectives in his final 5 league video games for the membership.
Ander Barrenetxea doubled the Basque aspect’s lead within the thirty sixth minute flying in to transform a flicked-on nook.
It was the 21-year-old ahead’s first begin since a extreme hamstring harm in January 2022.
“This received’t lead us to make the error of loosening up, there’s an extended solution to go, we’re not even on the half-way level but,” stated coach Imanol Alguacil.
“For now it’s true that we’ve had an incredible begin however we have now to maintain that going, in any other case it’s not value something.”
Sevilla climbed out of the relegation zone with a good win over nineteenth place Cadiz on the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan.
Their coach Jorge Sampaoli was despatched off for dissent within the second half with the sport goalless.
Sevilla had possibilities however couldn’t convert them, till Rakitic slotted dwelling from the penalty spot with two minutes to go.
Cadiz defender Ivan Alejo conceded the spot kick and was despatched off when he dealt with a cross falling into the trail of Lucas Ocampos, who returned from a mortgage at Ajax earlier this week.
1000’s of Sevilla followers protested exterior the stadium towards the working of the membership earlier than the match, though transferring a degree away from the drop zone will brighten the temper a bit.
Earlier Espanyol earned a 1-0 win over Actual Betis because of Martin Braithwaite’s strike.
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