a record Griezmann and doubles for Memphis and Morata, Atlético crushes Sevilla

With six goals scored and a record set by Diego Simeone, Atlético Madrid corrected Sevilla FC (6-1) on Saturday during the 24th day of La Liga and moved up to third place, one point ahead of Real Sociedad, hung on Friday by Cadiz (0-0).

Party night at the Metropolitano! Memphis Depay, holder for the first time with Atléti, gave the Colchoneros the advantage with two goals in four minutes (23rd, 27th), then Youssef En-Nesyri reduced the gap just before the break (39th), before Antoine Griezmann (53rd), Yannick Carrasco (69th) and Alvaro Morata (76th, 90th+2) sealed the success of the Rojiblancos in the second period.

Thanks to this success, Diego Simeone’s players are seven points behind Real Madrid (2nd, 52 points), who travel to Betis Sevilla on Sunday (9:00 p.m.).

This festival was preceded by a moving tribute to the Atlético coach, who was presented with a flocked number 613 jersey just before kick-off, to the ovation of the public.

With 613 matches, the Argentinian technician became the manager who had managed the most matches for a single club in the history of Spanish football, ahead of another Atlético legend, Luis Aragonés, who had coached 612 in four passages, between 1974-1980, 1982-1987, 1991-1993 and 2001-2003.

Then the party continued on the ground. Memphis Depay, established for the first time since his arrival in Madrid in the absence of Angel Correa (suspended) and ahead of Alvaro Morata (substitute), unlocked the scoreboard with an express double in four minutes.

He was first served in depth by Antoine Griezmann (23rd), then took advantage of a shift from Marcos Llorente to fire a shot from the entrance to the area (27th).

Just before the break (39th), Youssef En-Nesyri reduced the gap by cutting off an unorthodox cross from Pape Gueye at the near post. But the French Little Prince still released a five-star performance to launch the Rojiblancos to victory.

Returning from the locker room, “Grizi”, as a true conductor, fired a clear shot from 25 meters from the left, which came to lodge in Bono’s skylight, then the French world champion (2018) ran towards the arms of his coach to celebrate his goal jewel.

Then Atlético unfolded: in the 69th minute, Yannick Carrasco, lonely at the far post, inherited a lucky ball after a crushed strike from Pablo Barrios, and only had to push it to the bottom of the cages.

The suspense was revived a few seconds, when the referee pointed the penalty spot after contact in the area between Gueye and Llorente, but Ivan Rakitic sent his attempt on the post.

In the process, Alvaro Morata, entered in the 64th minute in place of Depay, completed the success of the Colchoneros in two stages, after a new service from Griezmann, perfect (76th). He reiterated, with a hook in the box and a ball propelled from the left under the bar (90th + 2), after the expulsion for a second yellow card from Pape Gueye (82nd).

Earlier in the day, Getafe snatched an important success in the maintenance race against Girona at home (3-2). Villarreal beat Almeria (2-0) thanks to two late goals, and Elche, the red lantern, hooked their second success of the season in Mallorca (1-0).