Atletico 1-1 Vallecano: Griezmann and De Frutos score early in even draw

Atlético Madrid drew 1-1 with Rayo Vallecano in a preseason friendly. A match in which Simeone tested extensively, playing the first hour with a starting lineup that looked like a substitute. The final half-hour saw him field a team more resembling the one he'd started. 

Match Report

Diego Pablo Simeone started with a team very similar to the one that finished the match against Porto . A lineup in which the majority of substitutes are expected. Against a Rayo Vallecano side that fielded a lineup very similar to the one they could field against Girona in the opening matchday of LaLiga . Perhaps because of this, the red-and-white team had the best minutes.

The first attempt by the Red and Whites was a shot from outside the area by Gumbau . A minute later, Rayo Vallecano scored , thanks to a pass between the lines from Álvaro to De Frutos , and the striker was left alone against Musso and had no trouble beating him one-on-one.

Little by little, Atlético de Madrid began to approach the opposing goal. The first chance came in the 10th minute after a combination between Griezmann and Sorloth that the Frenchman failed to convert. In the next move, the Norwegian headed in a corner from the Frenchman.

The equalizer came before the quarter-hour mark. Atlético's high pressing paid off. Koke took advantage of a Batalla error to win the ball back in the opposition's half, almost on the edge of the box, and passed it to Griezmann to level the score.

After the goal, the Colchoneros' best minutes came. They created chances from a Galán cross, and Griezmann had two opportunities, first from a pass from Jano and then from a cross from Sorloth . Neither player was able to convert.

Rayo Vallecano responded with a great chance from De Frutos . In the closing minutes, Atlético were much better , with high pressure that allowed them to steal the ball up front, and we saw some of the best moments from Griezmann, Jano, Carlos Martín , and Koke . 

After the break, Rayo Vallecano came out much better. They dominated the game, possessing possession in the first 15 minutes. They came close to scoring through a cross from Isi , which Musso managed to clear , and then De Frutos had a double chance.

The Colchoneros managed to recover after a poor first few minutes, and Griezmann enjoyed a solid second strike. The best chance came after a great combination that Jano Monserrate almost finished .

Immediately afterward, Simeone made eleven changes, bringing in the team that could start in the first LaLiga match. These changes brought Atlético 's best moments . Their high pressure meant the game was played in the opponent's half.

Giuliano had two great chances in a few minutes , one from a pass from Ruggeri and another after a run from Llorente down the right. However, the best opportunity came a few minutes later when Almada passed him a ball that Baena hit against the post. 

Line-ups

Atletico XI:  Musso; Molina, Pubill, Lenglet, Galán; Carlos Martín, Taufik, Koke, Jano; Griezmann y Sorloth.

Subs: 

Vallecano XI: Batalla, Andrei, Luiz Felipe, Pathé Ciss, Isi, Trejo JP, Gumbau, Álvaro, De Frutos, Pacha, Lejeune

Subs: