Atletico Madrid kicked off their LaLiga campaign with a bang as they clinched a resounding 3-1 home win over newly promoted Granada on Monday. The game showcased the brilliance of Atletico’s attacking prowess, particularly through the extraordinary performance of striker Memphis Depay.
The match started with Alvaro Morata granting Atletico an early lead in the first half. The hosts continued to dominate the game, constantly threatening Granada’s defense. Antoine Griezmann and Yannick Carrasco posed relentless challenges for the opposition, causing significant trouble throughout the match.
Despite Atletico’s dominance, they struggled to convert their chances into goals in the first half. Granada resorted to parking the bus, making it difficult for Atletico to find the net. The first half ended with Granada failing to register a single shot at the Metropolitano Stadium.
Early in the game, Atletico missed a golden opportunity when Rodrigo De Paul squandered a close-range chance. Subsequently, Morata wasted three great opportunities before finally breaking the deadlock just before halftime. Morata capitalized on a comical mistake by defender Jesus Vallejo, who inadvertently gifted him the ball inside the box.
Atletico resumed their dominance in the second half, but Granada surprised them with an equalizer in the 62nd minute. Samuel Omorodion seized the opportunity after Carrasco miscontrolled the ball near his own area. Gonzalo Villar set up Omorodion, who scored from close range, marking Granada’s first shot on target.
However, Atletico quickly regained their lead just five minutes later through substitute Depay. The Dutch forward unleashed an unstoppable rocket shot from a considerable distance, finding the top left-hand corner of the net. Depay’s goal showcased his exceptional skill and contributed significantly to Atletico’s victory.
In the dying moments of the game, Marcos Llorente sealed the win for Atletico with a fantastic individual effort. In added time, Llorente scooped up a loose ball inside the box and beat Granada goalkeeper Andre Ferreira.
Atletico manager Diego Simeone expressed his satisfaction with the team’s performance, recognizing the competitiveness of LaLiga. He praised Depay for his outstanding goal, highlighting the hard work he has put in. Simeone also emphasized the team’s confidence in Morata and Depay, affirming that their strength lies in both penalty boxes.
Unfortunately for Atletico, they suffered a setback early in the game as captain Koke sustained a leg muscle injury, which forced him off the pitch.
