Atletico continue on a high

Atleti Confidence

Atletico started brimming with confidence after their derby win at the Bernabeu and took an early lead. Koke crossed low from the right and Real Sociedad defender Diego Reyes slid in at the near post under pressure from Luciano Vietto and turned the ball into his own net.

Busy Rulli

The visitors were rattled, and combined with Atletico’s high pressing game, the rest of the half was mainly played on the edge of their area. Antoine Griezmann and Vietto, in for Fernando Torres, drew saves from Geronimo Rulli, while Diego Godin twice went close to doubling Atletico’s lead.

Saul volley

The second half was only a minute old when Real Sociedad played themselves into trouble at the back. Atletico won the ball just outside the visitors’ area and played Vietto into the bye-line. The Argentine pulled the ball back into the middle and with a neat volley Saul doubled Atletico’s lead netting his third Liga BBVA goal of the campaign.

 

Griezmann haunts old club

Griezmann was brought down by Alberto de la Bella for a penalty after 60 minutes and the Frenchman got up to take the spot kick himself. Atletico’s number 7 beat Rulli to score the club’s first penalty in the Liga BBVA this season, and his 14th goal of the campaign. Griezmann did not celebrate out of respect for his former team, against whom he has scored three in the last four meetings.

Grip on second

Diego Simeone's side could have scored more but have now taken 13 of their last 15 points available to strengthen their hold on second place in the Liga BBVA. For Real Sociedad, it was a bitter blow after an unbeaten run of five games had hauled them up into the top half of the standings, but they rarely threatened Jan Oblak’s goal during the game.