Griezmann leads a comeback of Champions value | The truth

Fifth consecutive defeat away from Montilivi of Girona, who still leads Atlético by four points with seven games remaining, but lost the particular 'average' because in the roller coaster of the Costa Brava they won 4-3. Behind is Athletic, who will go out against Villarreal with the cup hangover and nine points behind Girona and five from Atlético. Reaching the Champions League, a difficult challenge for the lions.

Despite the schedule and the intense summer heat in the capital, a very intense first half, full of alternatives and with several games in one, just as happened in Montilivi. Cholo shook the tree regarding the first round of the Champions League quarterfinals against Dortmund and, in addition, he changed the system against an opponent like Girona who plays by memory and is brave, colorful and risky.

The Colchoneros surprised with a classic 4-4-2, since Reinildo played as a left-back and Riquelme was positioned as a right-back, and with nine liars because neither Griezmann nor Correa respond to the specific striker profile. They exerted high pressure to make it difficult for the Catalans to get an easy exit, just as they did on Wednesday against the Germans with notable success. But their joy was in vain because Girona scored immediately. Enormous driving by Savinho to break the opponent's lines and great assistance from Yan Couto to Dovbyk, who pushed it into the goal mouth.

The radiant afternoon was darkening for the locals, so much so that Simeone retraced his steps after 20 minutes and changed the system to use the most common one, with three in the back and two long wingers. The duel had no respite. Atlético dominated more, but gave a feeling of vulnerability when the rivals surpassed their first line of pressure.

Start again

The fight was balanced as a result of a clear but silly penalty from Miguel, who defended with his arm raised in a strategic action and there the ball hit him. Griezmann did not forgive. He starts again, but with different moods. Even more so when De Burgos Bengoetxea and the VAR did not notice a penalty from Reinildo to Savinho that it did seem like one, although it is true that perhaps it was not a clear error either. Keep going, keep going, said the Biscayan braid while Míchel swore in Aramaic from his bench.

Another decisive action took place. Saúl was injured in the final stages of the first act and Cholo had to turn to Morata, who was resting at the beginning. And the change was beneficial for the theoretically affected team, since in the sixth minute of stoppage time the Spanish striker had faith, he chased a ball that was lost along the baseline and his candy was a gift for Correa, who headed in front of the passivity of the centrals.

The contest resumed with Witsel instead of Reinildo, a caricature since his serious knee injury, and another fundamental play. The Colombian Solís failed to clear a cross without apparent danger from De Paul with the misfortune that the ball reached Griezmann. The Frenchman executed a howitzer through the squad. Shortly after, Dovbyk was able to get his team back into the game, but this time he failed at goal after a cross shot from the right. Incredible.

Atlético delayed lines to get together more, run less and close spaces, and Girona took control of the ball. But beyond long shots, easy for Oblak, he did not generate much danger. Míchel moved his chips to try to break that closed defense, and Cholo decided that the time had come to give Griezmann a more than well-deserved rest. Riquelme also left, with a sore knee. Nahuel wasted the sentence, after another robbery at the Girona exit, but the Argentine filled the ball with the entire goal in front of him. Breathing minutes also for De Paul and more defense with Azpilicueta. The victory, also with a two-goal difference, was gold for Atlético.