Atletico Madrid returned to winning ways in unconvincing fashion as Antoine Griezmann and Alvaro Morata earned a 2-0 LaLiga victory over Celta Vigo.
Diego Simeone s men welcomed Celta to the Wanda Metropolitano following a 2-0 defeat to Barcelona that effectively ended their title hopes.
Diego Costa received an eight-match ban for insulting the referee during that game, and Atletico were often second best against a resurgent Celta, who had taken seven points from their last three matches to boost hopes of survival.
However, Griezmann lashed home a 42nd-minute free-kick and Morata doubled their lead 16 minutes from time as Atletico increased their lead over Real Madrid who play Leganes on Monday to five points in the battle for second. Celta remain two points above the drop zone.
2 Only Lionel Messi (6 from 38 attempts) has scored more direct free-kick goals than ’s Antoine Griezmann (3 from 11) in LaLiga this season. Cannon.
— OptaJose (@OptaJose)
Atletico struggled to create much in the early going and owed much to Jan Oblak for keeping them level. The Slovenia international produced a reaction save to keep out Maxi Gomez s deflected effort and then made an even more impressive stop from Ryad Boudebouz s bicycle kick follow-up.
Opposite number Ruben Blanco did well to get a touch to Juanfran s low cross and take it away from numerous Atletico players queuing up to meet it in the box, but Oblak continued to be the busier of the two goalkeepers.
He was again required to preserve parity when he dove to his left to deny Sofiane Boufal after the Frenchman met Boudebouz s lay-off first time.
Celta were made to pay for not capitalising on their superiority as Griezmann powered a free-kick into the top-left corner after Vitolo was fouled by Gustavo Cabral.
Chances were less frequent in the second half but Morata made the points safe when he rounded Blanco after being played through on goal by Griezmann.
What does it mean? Griezmann lifts under-par Atleti
Atleti may have bounced back from their Camp Nou disappointment, but this was another game where they underperformed, which has been far too common in a season where they had a clear opportunity to dethrone Barca.
As so often is the case, it was Griezmann who hauled them into a winning position. His free-kick was unstoppable and his throughball for Morata to wrap things up perfectly weighted.
Oblak shows his class
Oblak is seen as perhaps the best goalkeeper in the world, and he showed why with three excellent saves to keep Celta at bay.
Mor needed from Emre
While Celta s forward line generally caused Atletico problems, Emre Mor struggled to make an impact. He had no shots, created no chances, and conceded three fouls before being taken off in the 65th minute.
What s next?
Atletico travel to Eibar next Saturday, when Celta face a huge game in their fight against the drop, welcoming Girona to Balaidos.
