Atletico injuries overshadow Griezmann winner
Los Rojiblancos defeated 10-man Deportivo la Coruna 1-0 on Sunday
Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann (L) celebrates a goal with team mate Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco (R). PHOTO: REUTERS
MADRID:
Antoine Griezmann was Atletico Madrid's hero once again with the winner as last season's Champions League finalists moved third in La Liga with a 1-0 win over 10-man Deportivo la Coruna.
However, the hosts' victory was overshadowed by an anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered by midfielder Augusto Fernandez before half-time that will keep him out for much of the remainder of the season.
Jose Maria Gimenez also had to be replaced in the first half with a groin injury and is set to miss Wednesday's huge Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.
Moroccan winger Faycal Fajr undid a fine opening 45 minutes for the visitors on Sunday when he picked up two quickfire yellow cards just before the break.
Atletico passed up a host of chances in the second half, but finally made the breakthrough 20 minutes from time when Griezmann tapped home his fifth goal of the season.
Diego Simeone's men now trail leaders Real Madrid by just two points and move to within a point of Barcelona.
However, the Athelitco’s coach believes that the win is not a good news overall. "It is not good news, especially Augusto's injury, but the doctors can explain it better than me," said Simeone.
Los Rojiblancos were the only side in the Champions League action this week to play on Sunday, but Simeone insisted that would be no excuse against Bayern.
"Now they need a big bowl of pasta, a good flan and to sleep well," added the Argentine. "We'll have a recovery session tomorrow and train well again on Tuesday. They have to sleep very well because they have to play on Wednesday and come what may, there will be no excuses."
Earlier, Valencia's upturn under caretaker coach Voro continued as they came from behind to beat Leganes 2-1, but were grateful once more to Brazilian goalkeeper Diego Alves's fantastic record of saving penalties.
Alexander Szymanowski headed the hosts into the lead, but Nani levelled with his first Valencia goal 10 minutes before half-time.
Nani's cross was turned home by Mario Suarez to put Valencia in front.
Voro has now won eight of the 10 games he has taken charge of in four caretaker spells.
Villarreal climbed into fourth as their unbeaten start to the season continued with a comfortable 3-1 win Osasuna thanks to first-half goals from Alexandre Pato, Bruno and Nicola Sansone.
And a late show from Celta Vigo moved them out of the relegation zone as Giuseppe Rossi and Pione Sisto netted in stoppage time to secure a 2-0 win at Espanyol.
Antoine Griezmann was Atletico Madrid's hero once again with the winner as last season's Champions League finalists moved third in La Liga with a 1-0 win over 10-man Deportivo la Coruna.
However, the hosts' victory was overshadowed by an anterior cruciate ligament injury suffered by midfielder Augusto Fernandez before half-time that will keep him out for much of the remainder of the season.
Jose Maria Gimenez also had to be replaced in the first half with a groin injury and is set to miss Wednesday's huge Champions League clash with Bayern Munich.
Griezmann leads Atletico Liga lift-off
Moroccan winger Faycal Fajr undid a fine opening 45 minutes for the visitors on Sunday when he picked up two quickfire yellow cards just before the break.
Atletico passed up a host of chances in the second half, but finally made the breakthrough 20 minutes from time when Griezmann tapped home his fifth goal of the season.
Diego Simeone's men now trail leaders Real Madrid by just two points and move to within a point of Barcelona.
However, the Athelitco’s coach believes that the win is not a good news overall. "It is not good news, especially Augusto's injury, but the doctors can explain it better than me," said Simeone.
Simeone's Atletico future in doubt after changes in contract
Los Rojiblancos were the only side in the Champions League action this week to play on Sunday, but Simeone insisted that would be no excuse against Bayern.
"Now they need a big bowl of pasta, a good flan and to sleep well," added the Argentine. "We'll have a recovery session tomorrow and train well again on Tuesday. They have to sleep very well because they have to play on Wednesday and come what may, there will be no excuses."
Earlier, Valencia's upturn under caretaker coach Voro continued as they came from behind to beat Leganes 2-1, but were grateful once more to Brazilian goalkeeper Diego Alves's fantastic record of saving penalties.
Alexander Szymanowski headed the hosts into the lead, but Nani levelled with his first Valencia goal 10 minutes before half-time.
Nani's cross was turned home by Mario Suarez to put Valencia in front.
Voro has now won eight of the 10 games he has taken charge of in four caretaker spells.
Villarreal climbed into fourth as their unbeaten start to the season continued with a comfortable 3-1 win Osasuna thanks to first-half goals from Alexandre Pato, Bruno and Nicola Sansone.
And a late show from Celta Vigo moved them out of the relegation zone as Giuseppe Rossi and Pione Sisto netted in stoppage time to secure a 2-0 win at Espanyol.