Atlético jumped to El Sadar with the great novelty of Héctor Herrera in the double pivot with Saúl, in addition to the entry of Arias, Correa and João Félix with respect to the eleven of San Mamés. The Mexican left a master pass for Lodi that led to João Félix's first goal. Atlético left the best first half hour in a long time, being the protagonist with the ball, with Koke participating a lot and looking to command the game. After the Portuguese goal, the team backed down.
In the second half there was less starting possession, but the first one that Atlético had he killed the match with his three most offensive men combining with mastery, Correa looking for Costa with a magnificent pass and the Spanish-Brazilian giving the goal to the Portuguese. João Félix achieved his first double in the team and there was a lot of positive news for Simeone, who was able to move his bench and ended with Llorente accompanying Morata up front and increasing the advantage with a good goal and assists to '9' and Carrasco.
Oblak: He did not have to intervene practically any time until the 80th minute, when he avoided the goal by repelling the shot. He also avoided Rubén García's goal in the last moments. Adrián finished off Osasuna's clearest chance. He returned to zero after five games without doing so to reach 100 unbeaten goals in the League.
Arias: He saw the yellow after five minutes with an elbow on Arnaiz, but managed not to suffer excessively despite it. Atlético focused their attack on the left wing, so they could appear less consistently than Lodi.
Savic: He received the yellow on the brink of rest in an action that did not seem so bad. He had a lot of work in the air disputes with Enric Gallego, but was forceful in his actions. No hassle on the ball, he didn't risk too much, but he knew when to get the ball out from under.
Giménez: Quick to the cut, he showed a lot of calm in the exit of the ball, looking to break lines with his passes to build from behind and not raffle the ball. A wall above, has returned to ownership strongly. Without Felipe, he must be the quarterback behind and in El Sadar he left a great game.
I gave it: When he goes wild in attack he makes it clear that he has a huge future ahead of him. Constant increases by his band, he was key in the goal of João Félix unmarking himself with speed to receive a great pass from Herrera and looking for the shipment back to Saúl as the play requested. Already from the beginning he had been seen with a great center for Diego Costa that was about to become the first goal of the match. He dared to face always and was a constant departure from Atlético in attack. Fantastic match of the Brazilian.
Saul: Very intense in the recovery and in the pressure, with Atlético pushing hard at the start of the game. He couldn't define the pass behind Lodi with precision, but the play ended in a goal by João Félix. Without Thomas, he had more influence on the pivot by plugging the red rush. He left substituted for the first time this season.
João Félix celebrates one of his goals with Diego Costa.
VINCENT WEST (REUTERS)
Herrera: The great surprise of Cholo in eleven occupying a position in the double pivot with Saúl. Lots of movement, alternating deep unchecking to leave Koke his place in construction or coming to receive to start the game. A great pass for Lodi in the play that ended up leading to João Félix's goal. One step ahead of the Mexican.
Koke: He started in a very participatory way, assuming the responsibility of giving speed to the team in three quarters of the field. He looked for Diego Costa with very good passes in depth, generating chances for Atlético and recovering the association that was already seen in Bilbao and gave such a good result in the League title. Beacon of the team, he dared with heels, short shipments, the length and in all parts of the field, playing with a lot of freedom of movement. When he commands, Atlético grows a lot.
Belt: Starting right, already growing in shape after having started on the bench in San Mamés for his recent muscle injury. As with Arias, the team charged its attacks from the other side, but it was decisive in the team's second goal with a fantastic pass from the outside for Diego Costa, who was not offside. He left substituted after having little come into play, but leaving a brushstroke that was worth its weight in gold.
João Félix: Back to the team, once he had a penalty match against Athletic, he got his first double with the Atlético shirt. He calmly defined a loose ball in the area to open the scoring by putting it in the square and pushed the gift of Diego Costa into the net in the second. He varied his position as second striker to the left wing according to the phases of the match, having to work in defense to block that side. It is difficult for him to enter the game, but when he does, he shows signs of immense quality, as he did in one move, guiding the ball with magic, dribbling on a tile and looking for the pass behind Correa. He has scored four goals in his last four league games, in full growth. He left substituted in the 68th minute after a very positive return to the competition.
Diego Costa: Once again, he is physically fine on the return to competition after the break due to the coronavirus health crisis. He seeks to regain his connection with Koke, throwing constant unchecks to the space that the Vallecano tries to take advantage of. From that pair came the first dangerous move, where the ‘19’ looked for the goal with a distant left-footed shot that repelled the goalkeeper. In João Félix's second goal, he was very intelligent and generous, throwing the uncheck for Correa's great ball and giving the ball to '7' to push it. He left replaced by Morata after 62 minutes of play after doing a good job at the top, playing from behind and providing a lot of mobility.
Llorente, stellar from the bench
Llorente: He had the last half hour replacing Correa and occupying his position on the right wing, to return to the front when João Félix left, a position in which he had already premiered in San Mamés. Brilliant participation above, a goal and two assists in his first five interventions. In an immeasurable physical condition, he left between three rivals to make his goal in the area. Then he left a great maneuver to enable Morata and gave Carrasco the goal against Rubén. Impossible to take better advantage of your minutes.
Morata: Half an hour to recover rhythm after overcoming a muscle injury during the competition break. He threw the uncheck at Llorente, his teammate up and beat Rubén in a good definition. Although the line canceled it in the first instance, the VAR gave it validity. Somewhat very important to regain confidence.
Thomas: Substitute after a long time, he entered for João Félix to give even more consistency to midfield.
Carrasco: He left hungry, pressed the rival ball out to retrieve it and beat Rubén thanks to Llorente's assistance. First goal since his return to the club, he is plugged into LaLiga's return.