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Antoine Griezmann celebrates the stunning goal that secured Atlético's victory over Mallorca. efe
Lino and Griezmann Propel Atlético in Metropolitano's Trap Match

Lino and Griezmann Propel Atlético in Metropolitano's Trap Match

Cholo's team dominated the first half but lived on the edge until a moment of brilliance from the Frenchman ended Mallorca's hopes in stoppage time, marking their fifth consecutive defeat without scoring.

Ignacio Tylko

Madrid

Sábado, 1 de febrero 2025, 20:56

No without some tremors, until Griezmann brought calm in the finale with a beautiful chip over Greif, Atlético navigated the trap match against Mallorca and remains in the hunt for all titles. They had lost their league footing by gaining only one point from six against Leganés and Villarreal, but did not falter against Jagoba Arrasate's side, who fought hard but deepened their poor start to 2025 with five consecutive defeats, 13 goals conceded, and none scored.

Samu Lino scored in the first half, but a certain relaxation from the Madrid side in the second half allowed the islanders to grow and even threaten an equaliser. In the end, the Metropolitano celebrated Cholo's 500th league match and fondly remembered Luis Aragonés on the eleventh anniversary of his passing. The worst news for the locals was the yellow card shown to Le Normand, who will miss the capital derby next Saturday at the Santiago Bernabéu between the first and second in the table.

Atlético

Oblak, Llorente (Nahuel Molina, min. 81), Le Normand, Lenglet, Reinildo, Giuliano (Gallagher, min. 61), Koke (Correa, min. 73), Barrios, Lino (Riquelme, min. 81), Sorloth and Julián Alvarez (Griezmann, min. 61).

2

-

0

Mallorca

Greif, Morey (Robert Navarro, min. 67), Valjent, Raíllo, Copete, Mojica, Samú (Chiquinho, min. 90+1), Darder (Abdón Prats, min. 81), Dani Rodríguez (Jan Salas, min. 81), Larin (Asano, min. 67) and Muriqi.

  • Goals 1-0: min. 26, Lino. 2-0: min. 90+3, Griezmann.

  • Referee García Verdura (Catalan Committee). Yellow card to Valjent, Le Normand - misses the derby at the Bernabéu -, Robert Navarro, Gallagher, Copete,

  • Incidents Match of the 22nd league round, played at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano before 60,710 spectators. A minute's silence in memory of Salvador Santos Campano, historic former president of Atlético.

Unyielding in the match-by-match mantra, Simeone made no concessions from the start against a struggling Mallorca and fielded the mentioned Le Normand, Koke, and especially Julián Álvarez, all three at risk of suspension. With De Paul suspended and Galán injured, Reinildo acted as a full-back or third centre-back, depending on whether it was time to attack or defend in a low block, and Koke alongside Barrios in a midfield proud of the Atlético academy. Rest for Griezmann until the final half-hour and first start for Sorloth after overcoming his injury.

Opposite, Jagoba Arrasate sought to change a dire trend by opting for a back five and Larin and Muriqi up front to fight for long balls, win some fouls, and try to surprise in second plays. The islanders, this time in fluorescent yellow, started well, even dominant but without creating danger. The Balearics made no prisoners in the duels, determined to take advantage of the Metropolitano or sell the defeat dearly, but gradually Atlético imposed their law.

The first great chance for Madrid was crafted by the Spider, who moved away from the area to play more like Griezmann, and Sorloth. The Argentine spotted a great move by the Norwegian, who made space against Raíllo, but his shot was thwarted by Greif. On the second attempt, Atlético did not fail. Le Normand, fantastic in vigilance and anticipation, outsmarted Muriqi, Giuliano broke through, Sorloth took the defender, and Samu Lino finished with his left foot, low and across. From there until the break, clear dominance by the red and whites against a Mallorca unable to string three passes together. Only Darder tamed the ball and Mateu Morey, an interesting full-back from Dortmund, caused some confusion in his runs among the Atlético players.

After the break, Atlético began to think about what lies ahead. Logical in part, but a serious risk with such a narrow lead. With half an hour to go, Cholo made a textbook double change to protect Julián and give Giuliano a breather. The red and whites could have sealed the win, but Larin, brave, saved a shot from Barrios with a goal stamp and Griezmann missed by centimetres to convert a pass from Le Normand in a forward role.

As the match remained alive, Mallorca began to believe that a point was possible. Darder delivered a cross that hit the top of the crossbar, then made Oblak shine with a lateral free-kick, and the newly entered Asano did not equalise because Reinildo was immense. Le Normand saw the dreaded yellow card and then Cholo withdrew Koke. Riquelme also failed to close the contest, hitting a free-kick against the crossbar. The game was on edge in stoppage time until a subtlety from Griezmann ended the uncertainty.

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todoalicante Lino and Griezmann Propel Atlético in Metropolitano's Trap Match