It was a season of change for both Las Palmas and Atletico Madrid. Las Palmas were entering a new season as they earned a spot in La Liga via the playoff route last year. It would be a daunting task for the newly promoted side to try and get a point in the Vicente Calderon.
For Atletico Madrid, it was a different lineup. New striker Jackson Martinez made his debut while Felipe Luis was placed in the starting lineup after a one year spell at Chelsea that went horribly for him. Although there were new players, the overall attitude of the team did not change. Gritty and tough, like the Atletico Madrid we saw make it to the Champions League final.
Griezmann gives Atletico the lead
Although all eyes were on how Jackson Martinez would play, it was Antoine Griezmann that stole the show today. Within minutes of the game, the French winger volleyed an effort that went just wide of the post and that set the tone of the match. He won a free kick in the 16th minute and it turned out to be a crucial point in the match.
Standing over the ball, Griezmann shot the ball and it took a deflection off the wall and went into the net. It wasn't the greatest goal Atletico were going to score a goal is a goal. It got Atletico's season started and Griezmann is looking in the form where he left off last season. He had another chance before halftime but was denied by a great save by goalie Raul Lizoain. It was a half dominated by Atletico Madrid and saw them take all the chances. Griezmann was causing havoc and Felipe Luis was showing what Atletico missed last year while he was at Chelsea.
Las Palmas nearly equalizes
The second half started slowly but it started to pick up the pace around the 60th minute. In the 59th minute, Las Palmas had a dangerous free kick in the Atletico half. They ball was swung in directly to David Simon but his header went right off the crossbar and out. It turned out to be Las Palmas best chance to equalize as Atletico controlled most of the chance this game.
Missed chances by both teams
Madrid had many chances to double their advantage, both created by Felipe Luis who was great in service down the wings in the match. But in the 74th minute, Jon Oblak was forced to make a good save when a Palmas corner was deflected near goal and forced him to bat it off the line. The final chance came in the closing minutes of the game when Koke took a free kick and it rattled off the post and out.
Although it was a hard fought victory, there were a lot of missed chances for both teams. Las Palmas played well and deserved a point but they couldn't convert the chances to equalize. Atletico Madrid will be looking to get more from their main man Jackson Martinez, who struggled in this game, in their next game in La Liga.