Atlético Responds to Metropolitano's Enthusiasm

In Atlético's season debut at the Metropolitano, the red-and-white team responded to their fans' enthusiasm with a convincing victory against Girona, who fell victim to a grave error by their goalkeeper and two subsequent brilliant goals where Marcos Llorente shone as both scorer and assister. In the second goal that sealed the match, Llorente also exposed Paulo Gazzaniga, and in the final goal during stoppage time, Atlético showcased their counter-attacking prowess. Between the end of the first half and the start of the second, Atlético found their scoring path thanks to a free kick by Antoine Griezmann following Gazzaniga's blunder, and a sprint by Llorente, capped with a thunderous shot from outside the box that bent Girona's goalkeeper's hands.

These were two decisive strikes by Atlético that broke the deadlock in an intense clash between Champions League teams, marked favorably for Atlético by Gazzaniga's mishandled bounce just before halftime. Until that moment, Girona, with almost as much pressing effort as Atlético, managed to neutralize Atlético's attack. But then came the 1-0, reviving Diego Pablo Simeone's team in Julián Álvarez's first start and Conor Gallagher's debut. With Clément Lenglet already in the stands of what will be his home stadium this season.

Griezmann had barely appeared throughout the first half, but the Frenchman did not waste Gazzaniga's poor clearance and his handball outside the box to pave the way for Atlético's first league victory, forged with sacrifice and finishing power against a rival that has taken a step back compared to last season but remains highly competitive. In Julián Álvarez's first start, which left Alexander Sorloth on the bench, another Argentine was notably negative for Girona. It wasn't the relentless Julián Álvarez, from whom more is expected, but Gazzaniga, who earned a yellow card for handling the ball outside the box—a foul that Atlético argued should have been red—and conceded a fatal free kick.

Martínez Munuera (Valencian). Yellow cards for De Paul, Abel Ruiz, Gazzaniga, and Oriol Romeu.

Later on, it was Llorente who widened the gap with an individual play crowned by a right-footed shot. However, rather than encouraging Atlético to push for more goals, it led to a more conservative and defensive approach in the second half, as Simeone prefers. The Argentine coach’s substitutions around the hour mark did not improve Atlético against a persistent Girona that kept pressing but found no way to surprise a solid and serious opponent. Against a bold and quick team with players like Bryan Gil capable of creating imbalance, Atlético’s defense held firm this time despite midfield gaps both in breaking up play and building attacks.

Nevertheless, on counter-attacks Atlético is lethal as demonstrated again with that thrilling play between Barrios and Llorente finished off by Koke. Despite some doubts, Metropolitano ended more than satisfied because red-and-white supporters are convinced that this Atlético—now with a stronger bench—will continue to grow.