Atléti left it late to pick up a vital three points courtesy of Antoine Griezmann to maintain the pressure on the league leaders ahead of the international break.
The Madrid side hosted Sporting at the Vicente Calderón in what was a crucial match for the home side, in hopes of taking advantage over domestic rivals Barcelona, Real Madrid and the surprise club of the season so far, Celta de Vigo, who were all facing tough opponents in matchday 11.
Diego Simeone opted to a field a full strength squad as he looked to get back to winning ways after a frustratngmatch against Deportivo the week prior, which resulted in a draw. However, the Argentine had to make do without first choice defender José Giménez, who was confirmed by the club as having suffered a hamstring injury. Summer signing Stefan Savić was giving a rare opportunity to partner Diego Godín in the starting XI.
Abelardo’s Sporting, who are sitting dangerously close within the bottom teams near relegation, came out with the intentions to take the three points in hope of distancing themselves from the bottom-half of the table and within only minutes to came close to opening the scoring. The visitors broke through following a fast break, with Jony’s left-footed shot missing to the right, much to Jan Oblak’s relief.
Sporting’s bright start was halted soon after with key midfielder Sergio Álvarez and lone striker Guerrero both having to make way due to injury, with Nacho Cases and Castro coming on within 26 minutes of play. The match lacked much fluency in play with continuous fouls from both sides disrupting either from playing their own brand of football.
Yet the game came into life in the 36th minute after Jony, following a swift counter-attack, found on-loan Barcelona playmaker Alen Halilovic who’s goal-bound shot was saved by the impressive Oblak. Abelardo would regret his side’s inability to convert their chances, as the second-half saw Atleti find their feet.
Gabi, Griezmann and Koke would threaten Cuéllar in goals, however, like Sporting in the first-half, wasted their chances with shots that were comfortably saved by the experienced shotstopper.
Both teams continued to play through the counter, hoping to take advantage of any slip up made by the defenders and it went in the favour of the home side. An assisted header back in the penalty area by Godín was met in typical predatory fashion by Griezmann for the winning goal in the 93rd minute. The result sees Simeone’s side overtake Celta de Vigo in third, now four points adrift of league-leaders Barcelona. Sporting remain hovering dangerously above the relegation zone.
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