Atletico Madrid Regains La Liga Form with Hard-Fought Victory Against Valencia

Atletico Madrid got back on track in La Liga by beating Valencia 2-1 on Saturday, clinched by a superb goal from Antoine Griezmann.

Strikes from captain Koke and Griezmann drew Diego Simeone's fourth-placed team to within six points of table-toppers Barcelona, who face Osasuna later.

Atletico had clawed their way back into the fight for the Spanish crown after a sluggish start to the campaign, before hitting consecutive setbacks in La Liga against Barca and Athletic Bilbao early in December.

Following their midweek Champions League success away to PSV, they delivered a resolute showing at the Metropolitano against Los Che.

The substitute Griezmann, introduced during the second half, commented to DAZN: "We made a big effort in the Champions League, it was hard for us to find our rhythm, and in the end it was the substitutes who gave that spark and that speed, so that we could win today."

Valencia started brightly, Hugo Duro striking the crossbar, yet they fell behind amid chaos from a corner. Goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala blocked one shot but could not prevent Koke from nudging in the rebound.

The away side believed they had tied the score through Pepelu after 35 minutes, however a VAR check disallowed it for offside involving Duro earlier in the move.

Alexander Sorloth, leading the line, came close to increasing Atletico's advantage before the interval as he powered into the penalty area, only for Agirrezabala to thwart him.

Valencia, occupying 16th position, levelled the match shortly past the hour mark, Beltran's powerful effort from afar wrong-footing Atletico custodian Jan Oblak.

The Argentine displayed clever close control just outside the box before drilling a low drive into the near corner.

Simeone's charges seized a decisive advantage courtesy of Griezmann, who trapped Marc Pubill's high ball using his elevated left foot, judged its drop, and rifled it beyond Agirrezabala for his fifth league tally.

Sorloth saw a goal chalked off for offside late on, while Valencia posed no further danger to Oblak's net.

Sunday brings second-placed Real Madrid to Alaves, surrounded by speculation that manager Xabi Alonso's role hangs in the balance, as third-ranked Villarreal journey to local opponents Levante.