Atlético Madrid ends the calendar year with concern. Diego Simeone’s team suffered its fourth consecutive defeat in LaLiga on Wednesday evening in and against Granada: 2-1. Due to the loss in southern Spain, the reigning national champion remains fifth in the ranking and therefore behind the places that entitle you to a ticket for the Champions League. Atlético also lost to Real Mallorca (1-2), Real Madrid (2-0) and Sevilla (2-1) in recent weeks.
Just before half time, Joao Félix thought he would complete a good first half with his second goal of the evening, but Alejandro Hernández Hernández refused to cooperate. The referee on duty saw a foul by the Portuguese in an ordinary aerial duel with Luis Suárez and disallowed the goal. A hard blow for Joao Félix, who had already opened the score after just 1 minute and 38 seconds.
hmm ?? João Felix thinks he will score his second goal of the evening, but the referee puts a stop to that? Right or wrong? ??#ZiggoSport #GranadaAtletico #Switch pic.twitter.com/TFxjUwOXBr
— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) Dec 22, 2021
Joao Félix, who was allowed to start in the starting line-up for the first time in 48 days, got rid of his opponent with a delicious chop, before finishing his rush with a low shot: 0-1. The answer from Granada, fifteen minutes later, should also be there. Darwin Machis cut in from the left and then shot the ball out of reach of Jan Oblak brilliantly into the right corner: 1-1. An arbitrary, and questionable, decision prevented Atlético from reaching the halftime signal with a lead.
It was not easy for Joao Félix and Atlético after the break. After just over an hour of play, a bet by the Portuguese hit the post. A minute later, Granada’s third effort, with Santiago Arias now in the squad, on goal made it 2-1: Jorge Molina, 39 years and 244 days, was not offside after Suárez’s preparatory work, the VAR ruled. The veteran of Granada must only give César (39 years and 279 days on April 10, 1960) priority in LaLiga history in terms of oldest goalscorers against Atlético.
Atletico in trouble again! ?? Granada takes the lead through 39-year-old Molina ??#ZiggoSport #GranadaAtletico #Switch pic.twitter.com/J76JC2XKH3
— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) Dec 22, 2021
With Héctor Herrera, Ángel Correa and Matheus Cunha in the squad, Simeone did everything he could from minute 66, but a defeat could not be averted. It was even thanks to Oblak that Suárez didn’t close the game ten minutes before the end. Atlético will resume LaLiga on January 2 with a city derby when Rayo Vallecano visits the Wanda Metropolitano. The fellow townsman has a point more than los Colchoneros and is fourth.
| No. | Team | m | W | G | V | +/- | Pnt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Real Madrid | 18 | 13 | 4 | 1 | 24 | 43 |
| 2 | Seville | 18 | 11 | 5 | 2 | 16 | 38 |
| 3 | Real Betis | 18 | 10 | 3 | 5 | 11 | 33 |
| 4 | Rayo Vallecano | 18 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 30 |
| 5 | Atletico Madrid | 18 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 29 |
| 6 | Real Sociedada | 18 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 29 |
| 7 | Barcelona | 18 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 28 |
| 8 | Valencia | 18 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 28 |
| 9 | Villarreal | 18 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 25 |
| 10 | Athletic Club | 18 | 5 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 24 |
| 11 | Espanyol | 18 | 6 | 5 | 7 | -1 | 23 |
| 12 | Granada | 18 | 5 | 7 | 6 | -3 | 22 |
| 13 | Osasuna | 18 | 5 | 7 | 6 | -5 | 22 |
| 14 | Celta de Vigo | 18 | 5 | 5 | 8 | -2 | 20 |
| 15 | Real Majorca | 18 | 4 | 8 | 6 | -10 | 20 |
| 16 | getafe | 18 | 3 | 6 | 9 | -8 | 15 |
| 17 | Elche | 18 | 3 | 6 | 9 | -9 | 15 |
| 18 | Alaves | 18 | 4 | 3 | 11 | -14 | 15 |
| 19 | Cadiz | 18 | 2 | 8 | 8 | -16 | 14 |
| 20 | Levante | 18 | 0 | 8 | 10 | -17 | 8 |