Atlético Madrid hold off spirited Eibar to kick start title defence

Atletico Madrid could count themselves fortunate to escape with all three points against Eibar, who pushed the Spanish Liga champions all the way at the Vicente Calderon.

Diego Simeone’s side looked to be coasting past the promoted side in their first home game of the season, following goals from Miranda and Mario Mandzukic.

But Eibar, who have by far the smallest budget of all the teams in the Spanish top flight, fought back and reduced the deficit before the break through Abraham, who finished off a nifty passing move with an equally impressive finish.

And the visitors dominated much of the second half as they looked for an equaliser. But the champions held on for a crucial three points to kick-start their title defence after last week’s goalless draw against Rayo Vallecano.

11’ OPENER – Atletico have their first goal of the season! Miranda, who is standing unmarked, heads Koke’s corner kick in at the near post.

25’ GOAL – Atletico add the second! Gabi floats a freekick into the box for Mandzukic, who heads the ball back across goal and into the net.

31’ MOYA SAVE – Good save from Moya! Lara manages to squeeze his shot through the Atletico Madrid wall, but the goalkeeper changes his direction quickly to make the save. He must have seen it late!

33’ WHAT A GOAL! – Oh my word, what a goal! Abraham strides forward and curls a wonderful shot into the top corner from the edge of the box. Wow!

38’ SAVE – Fantastic save by Irureta! Garcia takes a shot from the edge of the box, with the effort taking a deflection off an Eibar defender. The keeper has to change direction to tip the ball on to the bar.

41’ EIBAR CHANCE – Good chance for Eibar! The away side come surging forward on the break, with Capa picking out Arruabarrena at the back post, but he slips just at the wrong moment and his shot goes wide.

74’ BIG OPPORTUNITY – What a chance for Eibar! The free-kick to the back post finds Boveda, who manages to glance past the post from close range. There was inches in that! The Vicente Calderon fell silent for a moment.

87’ LAST CHANCE – What a chance! Angel is played through by Manu, but the striker's touch lets him down a bit, giving Moya a chance to close down the angle. And Angel rolls his shot just past the post.

No other player has scored more headed goals than Mario Mandzukic in the Europe’s top five leagues since the 2013/14 season.

Eibar are the only La Liga team to score two goals from outside the box this season.

Ten of Atletico’s last 13 goals in La Liga have been headers.

There’s something different about Simeone’s side this year. They have lost three of their best players over the summer (Diego Costa, Thibaut Courtois and Filipe Luis), but they have also lost the intensity and tempo that made them so formidable last season. Strangely, Atletico look tired and weary just two games into the new campaign.

The Eibar left back scored the best goal of the game, and maybe even an early contender for goal of the season, but his overall performance was very impressive. He kept Griezmann and Garcia quiet while also providing an outlet on the attack. If he can replicate that performance across the season I’ll be surprised if he’s still at Eibar by this time next year.

Atletico Madrid – Moya 6, Siqueira 6, Miranda 7, Godin 6, Juanfran 5, Suarez 5, Gabi 6, Koke 4, Griezmann 6, Garcia 5, Mandzukic 6. Subs – Jimenez 5, Niguez 4.

Eibar – Irureta 6, Abraham 7, Navas 5, Albentosa 5, Boveda 7, Garcia 6, Errasti 5, Lara 7, Arruabarrena 5, Capa 6, Angel 7. Subs – Nieto 7, Manu 5, Saul 4.