A hard-fought and difficult win by Atlético de Madrid to city rivals Rayo Vallecano on Saturday added three vital points to keep on Title race. A goal by substitute Antonie Griezmann allows Red-and-whites to face the second leg of the Champions League semi-final in Munich on a high. Fernando Torres was rested from the starting eleven and played 34 minutes on the second half. -Liga BBVA Table-

Atlético de Madrid had to solve a complicated game after a tremendous effort on Wednesday against Bayern and before playing the second leg in Munich. And it was against a difficult rival because Rayo Vallecano is a hard side. Atletico had already learnt it in the first round of play and Jémez’s team gave locals grief again.

But after a goalless first half, Simeone decided to change Gabi at the half-time for Koke, and shortly after, Torres and Griezmann substituted Vietto and Óliver. And these changes decided the match for us. Griezmann, who had been less than a minute on the field, picked up a clearance on the edge of the box to finish a lethal blow to the team from Vallecas. A goal that was a setback for the visiting team and served to win three points of gold in the race for the League. Now Atleticohave to think about Tuesday’s match against Bayern with the calmness of adding more victories in the League.


- Match stats:

Atlético de Madrid: Oblak; Juanfran, Giménez, Lucas, Jesús Gámez; Kranevitter, Gabi (Koke, 46’), Óliver (Griezmann, 54’), Thomas; Correa, and Vietto (Fernando Torres, 54’).

Rayo Vallecano: Juan Carlos; Quini, Amaya (Manucho, 64’), Crespo, Tito; Embarba, Bebé (Piti, 57’)(Jonathan Montiel, 84’), Llorente, Jozabed; Miku, and Javi Guerra.

Referee: Sánchez Martínez (Committee from Murcia). Booked the home player Kranevitter (67’); and the visiting Bebé (35’).

Goals:

1-0 (55’) Griezmann, with a cleared ball at the top, beats Juan Carlos with a left-footed drive close to the post.

- Match report by clubatleticodemadrid.com