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.
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.
Diego Simeone Praises Son's Progress After the Win
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."
Giuliano Simeone Scores First Official Goal for Atlético Madrid
In the 37th minute, Simeone received a well-timed through ball from Molina on the right side of the pitch, broke into the box, and finished with a low shot across goal with his right foot to give Atlético a 1-0 lead. The 21-year-old Argentine celebrated his first-ever goal for the club with his teammates, while his father and coach, Diego Simeone, watched on, visibly proud of the historic moment.
In the 83rd minute, De Paul, who had come off the bench at halftime, picked up the ball near the center circle and delivered a precise pass to Alexander Sorloth, who sealed the 2-0 victory for Atlético.
Julián Álvarez started the game, and Ángel Correa came on as a substitute in the 64th minute for Diego Simeone’s side.
Atletico Madrid Ease Past Las Palmas to End Poor Run of Form
Atletico Madrid eased to a 2-0 win over Las Palmas on Sunday in La Liga to move third and end a run of poor form, with coach Diego Simeone’s son Giuliano netting his first goal for the club.
The coach had said there was “no sense” in playing La Liga matches this weekend after the devastating and deadly floods in the Valencia region but his team secured a comfortable victory.
Food and other useful donated products were collected outside the Metropolitano stadium in support of those affected in the east of Spain by the floods which have killed more than 200 people before Giuliano Simeone and Alexander Sorloth’s goals earned them three points.
Last weekend Atletico suffered their first defeat at the season at Real Betis and had won just one of their last four La Liga games before beating Las Palmas.
“I’m very happy for my first goal for Atletico but we can’t ignore everything that’s happening in Valencia, all the victims there. I send my support and strength to them,” said Giuliano Simeone.
“To become an idol at the Metropolitano you have to do so many things like all the great players who have been here. I will keep working with humility and enjoy this win, and work in the coming days for the next game in the Champions League (against Paris Saint-Germain).”
Las Palmas goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen saved well from Pablo Barrios, back from injury, in the early stages, while Atletico’s Jan Oblak thwarted Fabio Silva.
The hosts took the lead after 37 minutes when Nahuel Molina’s long ball found Giuliano Simeone darting in behind the defence.
The striker, deployed on the right wing by his father, burst into the box and swept the ball across Cillessen into the far corner.
As in Saturday’s fixtures, the first goalscorer held up a shirt with a message of support to those hit by the flooding, along with captain Koke.
Griezmann hit the crossbar just before the break as Atletico sought to double their lead.
Dutch international Cillessen was taken off on a stretcher after an hour following a clash with Atletico defender Molina, to be replaced by Dinko Horkas.
Sorloth sealed Atletico’s straightforward victory in the 84th minute with a clinical finish after being played in by Rodrigo De Paul.
A Historic Moment for Atlético Madrid
The victory was Atlético’s sixth of the season, moving them up to third in LaLiga after 12 games, while Las Palmas remain inside the bottom three in the Spanish top-flight.
Atlético Madrid returned to winning ways in LaLiga as Giuliano Simeone and Alexander Sorloth earned them a 2-0 triumph over Las Palmas on Sunday.
But their dominant opening was rewarded in the 37th minute when Simeone was sent through by Nahuel Molina, with the Argentine slotting past Jasper Cillessen for his first LaLiga goal.
The hosts threatened to extend their advantage before the break, but Samuel Lino and Pablo Barrios saw their efforts unable to trouble Cillessen.
Simeone's side continued to dominate proceedings, finally getting the goal their display merited seven minutes from time, with Sorloth beating the offside trap before curling the ball home to seal the victory.
Later Sunday La Liga leaders Barcelona host Espanyol in a derby clash, looking to move nine points clear of second place Real Madrid.
The champions’ game at Valencia was postponed because of the flooding, along with Rayo Vallecano’s visit to face Villarreal.
