Griezmann strikes again to help Atletico beat Espanyol

BARCELONA -- Antoine Griezmann was Atletico Madrid’s match winner once more as they narrowly beat Espanyol 1-0 at Cornella-El Prat on Saturday. 

Griezmann struck the only goal of a tight encounter, firing home from close range in the 73rd minute after Saul Niguez’s blocked effort had spun into his path. It was the French striker’s 100th goal in Spain’s top flight and it helped stretch Ateltico’s unbeaten run to 12 games in all competitions.

Asked by television immediately after the match about his future, though, Griezmann just walked away from the interview. But with performances like this the speculation about a move away from the Vicente Calderon is not going to disappear that easily.

For Espanyol, it’s a defeat which hits their hopes of qualifying for Europe. There was a palpable buzz around the stadium prior to kick off and a good atmosphere throughout, but this loss leaves them ninth in the table, four points behind sixth-placed Athletic Club. Atletico, meanwhile, remain three points clear of Sevilla in third. 

Quique Sanchez Flores’ team came into this game having won two in a row and they will feel they deserved more here. They arguably had the better of the first half, but failed to really make Jan Oblak work. 

They did make Oblak work after falling behind, though, and the Slovenian produced a fine save from second half substitute Leo Baptistao to keep his side in front. 

You could see why Espanyol are in the race for a European place. They’re compact, have good shape and are impressive without the ball. You could even say they’re a mini Atletico, if you will. But they came unstuck against the real Atletico this time. 

Although Atletico themselves have only got back to being the real Atletico recently. They’ve lost just three times in 2017 -- twice to Barcelona and once to Las Palmas -- but aren’t in the title race because of their form before the turn of the year. 

“Since 2017 we’ve been much better than in 2016,” Simeone admitted when asked about his side’s inconsistent form earlier in the campaign. “We can’t move away from what we're doing now: defend well, work together as a team like we do and from there create chances to win games.” 

It’s a tactic which has more chance of coming up trumps when you have a player like Griezmann. His goal here, excellently taken, was his eighth in his last 10 appearances. Four of those goals have either been in 1-0 wins or 1-1 draws. He’s there when he’s needed.