GRIEZMANN ON TARGET, ATLETI DEFEAT ALAVES
MADRID: Nikola Kalinic and Antoine Griezmann ensured Diego Costa’s absence was not sorely felt as Atletico Madrid claimed a 3-0 victory over high-flying Deportivo Alaves in a La Liga match at the Wanda Metropolitano on Saturday.
Croatia international Kalinic broke his Atletico duck in Wednesday’s 4-0 Copa del Rey win over Sant Andreu and his 25th-minute strike was added to late on by Griezmann and Rodrigo.
With Costa anticipated to be out for two months following foot surgery, goals from Kalinic and Griezmann will be a huge boost for Diego Simeone, though a firsthalf injury for Lucas Hernandez will provide cause for concern.
Atletico had to weather a difficult second half against their persistent visitors, but Griezmann and Rodrigo struck in the 82nd and 87th minute respectively to seal the win by a flattering scoreline.
SEVILLA DENIED TOP SPOT
Mouctar Diakhaby’s stoppagetime header earned Valencia a 1-1 draw against Sevilla and prevented the Andalusians from moving provisionally top of La Liga on Saturday.
Pablo Sarabia’s 55th-minute strike appeared to have sent the Andalusians above champions Barcelona, but the draw took them second on 28 points, level with the leaders and third-placed Atletico Madrid.
A dull first half gave way to an exciting second with Tomas Vaclik making a good save to deny Valencia midfielder Carlos Soler. Sarabia broke the deadlock with his fifth league goal of the season when he pounced to score from close range, after Wissam Ben Yedder’s effort was deflected into his path.
But centre-back Diakhaby’s 92nd effort meant that the teams shared points.
This was Valencia’s ninth draw of the season which left them 12th in the standings.