Griezmann saves Atletico blushes against Girona
madrid — Atletico-Madrid stumbled in the Spanish league title race on Saturday after conceding a late goal to draw 1-1 with Girona at home.
Second-place Atletico was left eight points behind leader Barcelona, which can increase the gap if it wins at Real Betis on Sunday.
Diego Costa’s headed pass set up Antoine Griezmann to put Atletico ahead in the 34th minute.
But Atletico failed to press for a second goal, and a defensive slip helped Girona level in the 73rd.
Cristian “Portu” Portugues was free in the area to score when Bernardo Espinosa headed forward a poor clearance by substitute Jorge “Koke” Resurreccion.
Girona’s equalizer came after Atletico coach Diego Simeone had substituted Griezmann and Costa as the hosts sought to defend their slim advantage. “We had control of the game and knew that their chances depended on us making an error,” Atletico defender Jose Gimenez said. “And that is what happened. We lost our concentration for a moment and they found their goal.” Known as Spain’s top defensive side, Atletico also conceded two late goals at home to lose 2-1 at Sevilla in the Copa del Rey earlier this week. It will now have to travel to Sevilla to overturn that defeat in their second-leg quarterfinal on Tuesday.
Girona played the second half with backup goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz after starter Yassine Bounou asked to be substituted due to an injury late in the first half.
It was Portu’s eighth goal of the season for Girona, a top-flight newcomer that has far exceeded expectations and risen to eighth place. Girona also held Atletico to a 2-2 stalemate in the league’s opening round, beat Real Madrid 2-1 in October, and routed Las Palmas 6-0 in the last round.
Earlier, Sevilla coach Vincenzo Montella earned his first win in La Liga at the third attempt as his side secured an impressive 3-0 victory at Espanyol on Saturday to go fifth in the standings.
Franco Vazquez knocked in a loose ball on the rebound after a well crafted move to put Sevilla in front after 15 minutes, the first time they had taken the lead in a Liga game under the Italian coach, who succeeded Eduardo Berizzo in December.
Pablo Sarabia added another before haltime and Luis Muriel rounded off the victory with a late third. Sevilla lost to Real Betis and Alaves in their first two Liga games under Montella but were lifted by a late fightback that saw them beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 in their King’s Cup quarter-final first leg on Wednesday.
On Saturday, Montella’s side doubled their advantage against Espanyol in the 34th minute with a scorching run through the defence and a top corner finish by midfielder Sarabia.
Espanyol, who defeated city rivals Barcelona 1-0 in their King’s Cup firt leg in midweek, improved after the interval and should have pulled a goal back when Leo Baptistao received the ball unmarked from close range but sent it flying over the bar.
Sevilla’s Colombia forward Muriel netted the third goal in the 90th minute with an impressive run past three defenders in the box and a powerful finish.
Sevilla, who face Manchester United in the last 16 of the Champions League, now have 32 points although Villarreal could climb back above them when they host Levante later on Saturday after second-placed Atletico host Girona.
Barcelona, who are nine points clear at the top, visit Real Betis on Sunday.
Meanwhile, Angel Rodriguez came off the bench to help Getafe salvage a 2-2 draw after twice trailing Athletic Bilbao in the Spanish league on Friday. — Reuters/AP