Atletico Madrid 3-0 Valencia: Atlético Madrid settled with Valencia on Saturday evening with Memphis Depay in the base. The team of coach Diego Simeone thus strengthens third place in La Liga and keeps Real Madrid in sight.
Carefree evening for Atlético against Valencia
Just like in Atlético’s previous two league matches, Memphis gained the confidence of Simeone and the Orange international also threatened Los Rojiblancos a number of times in the first half. His header and ticker did not result in a goal. Attack partner Antoine Griezmann was accurate in the Wanda Metropolitano before the break.
After a nice rush, Marcos Llorente served Griezmann, who took the ball in the penalty area and hit the far corner. Valencia, with Justin Kluivert in the starting line-up, thought to have equalized in Madrid not long after. Hugo Duro passed Atlético keeper Jan Oblak, but in the run-up to the guests’ goal, a foul was committed on Memphis. The goal was disallowed after an intervention by the VAR.
Second half
Atlético took further distance from the impotent Valencia shortly after the break. Yannick Carrasco increased the lead after a quick combination with Rodrigo de Paul. Memphis was keen on a goal in the home game, but after more than an hour the Dutchman stepped aside for Álvaro Morata. Three minutes later, Morata assisted another substitute Thomas Lemar’s 3-0. It turned out to be the final score in Madrid. Kluivert went to the side at Valencia fifteen minutes before the end.
With the big win, Atlético narrows the gap with number two Real Madrid, which will play against leader Barcelona on Sunday. For the ‘birthday’ Valencia, founded 104 years ago on Saturday, the loss is another blow in the battle for survival. Los Che ‘s last away win dates from October 7 last year against Osasuna and Rúben Baraja’s team was unable to score for the sixth consecutive away game. Competitor Getafe can push Valencia into the relegation zone with a home win over Sevilla on Sunday.
Atlético Madrid have remained difficult to beat in the Primera División. The 3-0 win in the home game at the Estádio Cívitas Metropolitano against Valencia means that the team has been unbeaten for ten consecutive matches.
Takeaways
An early lead was taken by the home side through Antoine Griezmann after 23 minutes, assisted by Marcos Llorente.
Immediately after the break, Yannick Carrasco increased Atlético Madrid’s lead.
Atlético Madrid found the net again, this time through Thomas Lemar, with an assist from Álvaro Morata, in the 67th minute, that made the final score 3-0.
Atlético Madrid have four wins and one draw in their last five games, while Valencia have two wins and three losses.
With 51 points, Atlético Madrid is in third place, while Valencia is in seventeenth place with 26 points.
The next matchday, Atlético Madrid will play against Real Betis on Sunday, April 2, in a home game. Valencia will receive Rayo Vallecano on Monday, April 3
