Relentless Atletico keep the wins coming

New-look line-up

Diego Simeone shuffled his pack, naming a starting XI which featured several changes from Atletico's last outing. Lucas, Jesus Gamez, Matias Kranevitter, Oliver, Thomas Partey, Angel Correa and Luciano Vietto were all handed starting berths, whilst Jan Oblak, Juanfran, Jose Gimenez and Gabi were the only players to retain their places.

Correa

It was very evident right from the first whistle that the hosts had a clear game plan, as Simeone's charges hounded their Rayo counterparts, whose efforts to retain possession proved largely unsuccessful. It didn't take Atleti long to fashion their first chance of the afternoon, with the lively Correa at the heart of everything for the hosts. The Argentine, who was a breath of fresh air up front, spurned two fine chances to have put his side ahead.

Rayo begin to settle

As the game wore on, Paco Jemez's troops began to find their feet as they came to terms with Atletico's pressing game. Indeed, the visitors fashioned several chances to have put themselves ahead. The most clear-cut of these fell the way of Miku and Adri Embarba, whilst right at the start of the second period, Javi Guerra fluffed his side's most gilt-edged opening. A combination of fine defensive work and some commanding goalkeeping from Jan Oblak prevented the visitors from taking the lead.

Impact substitutions  

Koke, Fernando Torres and Antoine Griezmann entered the fray in the second half and the trio were all involved in the Atletico goal. Koke looked to play Fernando Torres in behind and when Jose Angel Crespo's headed clearance fell only as far as Griezmann, the Frenchman took aim and smashed home a powerful left-footed strike, just minutes after having come on.

Rayo kept plugging away

Rayo dominated the closing stages and the Franjirrojos had a golden opportunity to have restored parity when Miku - who was a constant threat throughout - crossed for Javi Guerra, but his headed effort failed to find the back of the net. Atletico held out as Griezmann's strike proved enough to seal a victory which keeps them very much in the Liga BBVA title race.