Atlético, with four changes compared to the team that did not make a good impression in Montjuïc, once again became strong at the Metropolitano, where it remains unstoppable and gave a good account of Almería in a match that had two very different faces. In the first, Atlético was much superior and scored two goals very early. In the second, Almería reacted, closing the gap on the scoreboard and forcing Oblak to save the three points with a couple of good interventions. Nothing that has not been seen several times in the colchoneros fiefdom.
Those who paid for the bad game against Barcelona with their substitution were Riquelme, José María Giménez, Nahuel Molina and Mario Hermoso. Ángel Correa, Azpilicueta, Savic and Samu Lino entered his place.
Almería appeared in the Colchonero bottom club, having never won in this League, with only four points and a situation that is beginning to seem desperate. It immediately seemed that this was not the game in which Gaizka Garitano’s men expected to begin their reaction. Atlético came out strong and in 22 minutes they had already dispatched the rival.
Griezmann scored after five minutes, but his goal was disallowed for offside. The first valid goal came in the 18th minute after a theft of the ball by Griezmann and a cut by Morata to César Montes and Maximiano that allowed him to score at will. After four games without scoring, the Madrid forward scored his thirteenth goal, the same as Griezmann.
In the 22nd minute came the second goal, this one from Correa, a play that De Paul started and continued with a cross from Griezmann that went past the center backs so that Correa scored without a mark on him.
From then on at half-time, Atlético was able to increase its tally, having several more chances, the clearest being a free-kick by De Paul that was not a goal due to a good handball from the Almería goalkeeper who kicked the ball over the crossbar.
The first half already ended with bad news for the colchoneros. A tackle by Robertone left Griezmann sore, and he was no longer the same in the second act, like his entire team.
The second part couldn’t be more different. Almería came out with everything and was able to score in the 47th minute from a shot by Arribas that went high. It was a warning that was going to have continuity. Atlético was not going to get into the rhythm of the game at any time.
To the despair of the Metropolitano, Almería took control of the game and began to move the ball in the vicinity of Oblak. In the 62nd minute the Andalusian team scored with a shot from Pozo that was saved by Oblak in the first instance, but the rebound fell to Leo Baptistao who only had to push the ball to bring uncertainty to the scoreboard.
A couple of saves by Oblak from shots by Arribas and Baptistao saved the victory for Atlético, who ended up locked in their area, giving up corner after corner and asking for time. Almería had its point very close.
