MADRID (Reuters) -Defending champions Atletico Madrid acquired again on monitor after 4 consecutive league losses with a 2-0 residence win in opposition to Rayo Vallecano on Sunday because of a brace from Argentinian winger Angel Correa.
Atleti leapfrogged Rayo within the standings and are actually fourth with 32 factors from 19 matches. Rayo are fifth, with 30 factors. Real Madrid, who misplaced at Getafe earlier, lead LaLiga with 46 factors from 20 video games.
Correa, enjoying out of place as a pure striker within the absence of Antoine Griezmann and Joao Felix, who each missed Atletico’s first sport of 2022 attributable to optimistic COVID-19 exams, led Atletico to a victory the place they dominated from begin to end.
He pounded in a rebound from contained in the field after an important play and strike from Yannick Carrasco within the twenty eighth minute, then volleyed in a low cross from Renan Lodi within the 53rd.
“After 4 consecutive losses, we would have liked this win,” man-of-the-match Correa instructed reporters.
“It’s an effective way to begin the 12 months as a result of we received enjoying properly, dominating; we’re actually pleased with the angle and the consequence.”
The win was a reduction for Atletico supervisor Diego Simeone, who had by no means beforehand misplaced greater than two successive league matches since taking cost in 2011.
Simeone had examined optimistic for COVID-19 earlier within the week however was cleared to take his place on the sidelines early on Sunday after his newest check got here again unfavorable.
Missing Griezmann, Felix and captain Koke because of the pandemic and Spanish worldwide flanker Marcos Llorente due to damage, the Argentinian coach determined to alter his system from three defenders to a traditional 4-4-2.
The change was key as defenders Kieran Trippier and Renan Lodi dominated on the touchline, successful in each section of the sport.
The first aim began with a mixture between the English proper again and midfielder Rodrigo de Paul, who handed to Carrasco who entered the world and shot on the aim. When the ball was deflected, Correa was the quickest to get to it and open the scoring.
In the second half, Brazilian worldwide Lodi sprinted up entrance and located Correa within the field with an ideal cross.
(Reporting by Fernando Kallas; modifying by Clare Fallon)
