Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann celebrates with team mates after scoring a goal against Las Palmas during their Spanish first division soccer match at Vicente Calderon stadium in Madrid. PHOTO: REUTERS
MADRID: Atletico Madrid got their La Liga campaign up and running when Antoine Griezmann’s deflected free kick secured an unconvincing 1-0 home win over promoted Las Palmas on Saturday.
Griezmann’s strike clipped the Las Palmas wall on its way into the net in the 17th minute but Atletico struggled to create further chances and the visitors, back in Spain’s top flight for the first time in 13 years, made them sweat in the second half.
Las Palmas defender David Simon was left unmarked at the far post and headed against the crossbar and Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak had to make an excellent save when the ball ricocheted towards goal at a corner 18 minutes from time.
Colombia striker Jackson Martinez, making his La Liga debut after joining from Porto in the close season, had a quiet night before making way for Fernando Torres midway through the second period.
“We played a good first-half and controlled the match,” said Atletico fullback Filipe Luis. “But obviously the scoreline was precarious because if Las Palmas had scored it looked like it would have been difficult for us to get another.”
Published in The Express Tribune, August 21st, 2015.
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