Atlético Rebuilds at the Expense of a Weak Rayo

Without fanfare but with a professional attitude, not letting themselves go as they did in Las Palmas, Atlético enjoyed a comfortable evening against a Rayo side that plays well but lacks the area dominance required to dream of Europe. Sorloth, a constant threat, showed the way early on, and Gallagher extended the lead near halftime. Two so-called psychological goals and a notable final half-hour from Griezmann, who was close to scoring twice and brilliantly assisted Julián Álvarez for the third. Mission accomplished for the colchoneros, who are looking to rebuild in the final stretch with the Club World Cup in mind, which will close an exhausting season.

Sorloth, starting for the second consecutive match at the expense of a subdued Griezmann and already the scorer of 17 goals this season, 13 of them in the league, troubled a Rayo side that plays very cheerfully, is attractive and daring, but at least at the Metropolitano was very weak in defense. Neither the full-backs managed to hold Giuliano and Galán well, nor did Lejeune and Pathé Ciss, an improvised centre-back, keep a close watch on the finishers.

The match opened with almost two minutes of Rayo possession, but Atlético scored on their first outing. A textbook action. Llorente drives forward, Giuliano delivers a wonderful cross, and the Norwegian centre-back outjumps the Parisian defender. Sorloth was everywhere and could have scored up to four goals, but he missed the target. He headed a measured cross from Galán high, broke through after a masterful pass from Julián, but Batalla deflected his left-footed shot at the near post. All this before eight minutes had passed.

Rayo enjoyed some minutes and hovered around the equalizer in a couple of poorly defended actions. Isi, very much alone, shot wide, Álvaro was close to stealing the ball from Barrios in the area, and Oblak pulled off one of his giant saves to deflect another shot from Isi, after a great pass from the Romanian Ratiu.

Meanwhile, Sorloth continued with his business. If he didn't score the second after another delightful cross from Galán on the left, it was because Pathé Ciss held him back. We complain about theatrics in Spanish football, but if players are honest, don't dive, and try to finish plays, penalties aren't awarded, and VAR doesn't intervene. The former Real Sociedad and Villarreal player also played a part with his movement in the goal scored by Gallagher just before the break. A superb curling cross from De Paul allowed the Englishman, with a precise header, to capitalize on the defenders' misalignment caused by Sorloth and Batalla's hesitation.

Griezmann, a luxury assistant

Atlético relaxed after doubling their lead, and Rayo could have reduced the deficit after the restart. Isi, the smallest in the class, outjumped Barrios and didn't score because Oblak, once again, was decisive. The Slovenian wants his sixth Zamora, a record in Spanish football, although Courtois and David Soria make it difficult for him.

With half an hour to go, Cholo brought on Griezmann. He was greeted with a warm ovation, and the Frenchman came close to scoring shortly after coming on following a backheel trick from the Spider. Shortly after, he found himself one-on-one with Batalla, who risked clearing the ball with his foot outside the area. In his third intervention, Griezmann timed his pass perfectly to send Julián through, who delicately scored his fifteenth goal of the tournament to seal Atlético's comfortable victory. There was still time for another great save from Oblak.