Three quarters of an hour, the first of the game, were enough for Atlético to win in Mestalla. Julián Álvarez wasted a hand to hand with Mamardashvili in the last moments of the first half that could have decided the encounter in a definitive way, but it seemed not to matter too much.
In Atlético it seemed that everything worked. Julian scored the goals, but it was Griezmann who saw the play ahead of time. Two French passes were worth the two goals of Atlético, although in the first Lino made as an intermediary. The “7” saw his entry into the area, the Brazilian finished off the post and Julian was in the exact place to collect the rejection and put his team ahead.
Valencia did not seem rival, which at 12 minutes looked behind And not long after the second fit. This time the connection was direct between Griezmann and Julián Álvarez. The French center finished off the Argentine network. They would not have imagined that they were going to form such a productive society when the World Cup final was played with their selections in December 2022.
Atlético moved to the rhythm that Rodrigo de Paul marked with Marcos Llorente by his side. A rarity in recent years, although for that the Atlético signed the former Madrid player. He was in charge of keeping the position, of marking the territory ahead of the defense. But Atlético’s offensive game defined Paul.
With everything in favor and the break of rest, Atlético seemed to let go. Valencia entered more intensity, with one more striker, Hugo Hard, and with more presence in the opposite area. There was precision in the auctions of Valencia, who did not work too much to Oblak. He approached the area and, although he did not specify, the Atlético disturbed, which seemed to think more about his future commitments than in Valencia, which did not seem like a team that was fighting to escape from the descent.
Atlétic. That gift from Mosquera that sent to the side of the goal. Simeone preferred to ensure the result with the change of Giménez for Giuliano. I wanted more security back, grant less. And so he also got his team to come out more forcefully to counterattack.
In the last minutes Julian was no longer in the field to finish off the plays. Had left his place to Sorloth and the Norwegian was close to marking the third in a counterattack. He became entangled in a dribble to find an advantage when finishing off and stole the ball and the opportunity to mark the third. But Where others do not arrive.accustomed to entering the field from the bench.
The Argentine did not miss another gift from Valencia. This time it was Javi Guerra who lost the ball in the center of the field, Gallagher recovered and ran with her until the time came to give it to Correa. Angelito did not fail, who shot the post, where Mamardashvili could not arrive.
There were a few minutes left for the end and Valencia had no strength or desire to try more. Atlético, much superior, had let him believe in his possibilities for a long time, but he could not take advantage of it.
Atlético needed victory and not strive to get it. Two “scratches” in the first half were enough to get it. Julian is already the top scorer in the league, matched with Sorloth. But above all it is the man capable of deciding the parties. His goals arrive at important moments, when the score is at zero and when the game is complicated. But by his side is always Griezmann to see him. With them, everything is easier for Atlético, who walks firmly and forcefully.