Griezmann sentences the Brujas and sets the classification for Atlético

The Simeone solved their game against Bruges with a double of the French and a goal by Koke and approach the eighth of the Champions

Atlético returned to Wanda in the Champions League in a situation very different from that of the first match of the European competition that pitted them against Monaco. Simeone’s team had recovered from a hesitant start to the season, had come back in the league to Barça and Madrid and had taken a point in the Bernabéu derby in a result that seems to favor athletes more than whites.

Precisely it was with Monaco that they started the run of good results. There they won and got their first three points in the European Cup. The competition is still the most desired by the fans and athletic players, and a victory against Brujas, their rival tonight, put them in an unbeatable position to get their pass to the round of 16.

The meeting began with the only novelty of Santiago Arias in the eleven rojiblanco, who would enjoy his first title, and the return of Simeone to the bench after four games of penalty.

Godín fights for a ball during the game / David Ramos (Getty Images)
In the beginning of the match Atlético started with three central players and left the sides to both Arias and Saúl, a disposition that had already used the ‘Cholo’ on other occasions, although not frequently. The Belgians turned the game on their right side and tried to get balls into the area through Vlietinck. The beginning was without great occasions and without a clear dominator of the encounter.

Little by little the local team was getting control of the game and handling the ball, although arriving at minute twenty of the game there were no big chances for either team. The best was Antoine Griezmann, who beat the goalkeeper after a great pass from Thomas Lemar, but the play was canceled by offside. The occasion gave boost to Atletico, who took control of the game, and although he still had no great chances, he was getting closer and closer to the goal defended by Karlo Letica.

Atletico is ahead, the Bruges reacts
The insistence of the rojiblancos had its reward. The play started again Thomas Lemar, who hung the ball to the area. The ball was cleared if control, came at the feet of Griezmann, and the French, with a cross and low shot, beat Letica and made the first for the locals.

But the joy to Atletico did not last long. The Madrid team returned meters in favor of Bruges. Danjuma picked up the ball in the front of the area and put a great goal stuck to the side of the net without anything Oblak could do. The game returned to where it was and the Simeone would touch them to row again to take the match.

The first part would conclude without time for more and with a balance not very positive for Atlético, who after the goal of Griezmann, had speculated too much with the score and went to the break with a draw. Everything would be decided in the last 45 minutes of the game.

The rojiblancos look for the game at rest
Simeone was forced to leave Giménez on the bench for muscle discomfort (thigh) and exit Filipe Luis and Atletico went to rest with desire to sentence. The first was the red and whites with a header from Godín after a corner kicked by Lemar (again Lemar), but the ball would go over the crossbar. A clear declaration of intentions on the part of the premises, that now did have the possession of the party and looked for the goal with hard work.

Ivan Leko did not see it clearly and also moved his bench. Schrijvers entered by Nakamba and Clinton Mata would occupy the position of Vlietinck. The Bruges changes would not change the course of the match and Atlético would have the best of the second half, but Griezmann, after collecting a rebound inside the area, would crash the ball into Letica’s chest.

Griezmann makes the second
Simeone reacted by looking for the match and removed Thomas Partey to give entrance to Angel Correa. Offensive change by the Argentine coach, who was going after the three points. It was not long before the rojiblancos hit the button. Costa, in a great play inside the area, cut his pair and put the ball to Griezmann, who made his second goal of the game and overtook the locals to the joy of the Metropolitan.

A few minutes later, Diego Costa retired with discomfort giving entrance to Rodrigo Hernández. The Atletico, despite the change could raise the game in another way and stop the Bruges. The exit of Rodrigo allowed the Madrilenians to control the ball and be able to defend from the possession. Meanwhile, Leko moved the bench looking for a draw and gave Openda entry for Rits.

Diego Costa retired injured / SUSANA VERA (REUTERS)
Match for Atlético
There was no time for more. El Brujas advanced their lines in search of a draw, but it was Atlético who was closer to the third. An ugly entry from Openda to Lucas Hernandez and a well-answered chance from Correa by Letica was the highlight of the last few minutes. The team of ‘Cholo’ speculated with the result in the last moments and Brujas squeezed, but the locals resisted and sentenced with a goal from Koke in the last minutes. The colchoneros won their second victory in the Champions League and they are getting closer and closer to the eighths of the dreamed competition.