Sustained pressure paid off for Atlético Madrid as manager Diego Simeone’s son Giuliano netted his first LaLiga goal and Alexander Sørloth also scored to secure a 2-0 win over Las Palmas in LaLiga on Sunday.
Atlético, third in the table with 23 points from 12 matches, have played one match less than second-placed Real Madrid, whose match at Valencia this weekend was postponed after deadly flooding in the eastern region.
“I’m very happy for my first official goal for Atlético Madrid but I also want to mention everything that’s going on in Valencia. For the victims, I send all my strength and support,” Giuliano Simeone said.
Giuliano Simeone paid tribute to victims of the floods in the Valencia region for his goal celebration.
Maria Gracia Jimenez/Soccrates/Getty Images
Nahuel Molina‘s 37th-minute long ball up the right flank helped Simeone beat the visitors’ high defensive line and the 21-year-old sprinted towards the six-yard box and finished with his right foot past keeper Jasper Cillessen‘s outstretched leg.
Antoine Griezmann almost doubled Atlético’s lead seconds before the break, but his left-footed effort from a Pablo Barrios cross came off the crossbar.
Things got worse for Las Palmas early in the second-half as Cillessen had to leave the field after getting injured while diving to block Molina’s shot.
The hosts, who had 15 shots in the match while 18th-placed Las Palmas had one, doubled their lead in the 83rd minute from Sorloth’s calm left-footed finish following Rodrigo De Paul‘s defence-splitting through ball.
Atlético continue their league campaign at Mallorca next Sunday, after Wednesday’s Champions League clash at Paris Saint-Germain.
Diego Simeone praised his son’s progression after the win.
“He’s working well, he’s training well … it’s important for his growth. As long as there is humility, the heart always responds,” Simeone told Movistar, while giving credit to Molina’s pass.
“We are happy, we needed a match that would give us a good feeling. We were able to take the game where we wanted and we were able to win a necessary and important match.”
Simeone was at pains to add that he does not see Giuliano any differently from other players in his squad.
“He did what he had to do, that’s why he is at Atletico. He has a responsibility that has no name, they are footballers … those who run play and those who run less, play less,” he told a news conference.
“The club didn’t spend money to buy a son, he is a boy who was in the youth academy … we believe he can help. He will have good games and bad games, but for sure he has what it takes.”
