Villarreal: Areola; Mario Gaspar, Eric Bailly, Víctor Ruíz, Jaume Costa; Jonathan Dos Santos (Denis Suárez 68‘), Manu Trigueros (Tomás Pina 75‘), Bruno, Samu Castillejo; Leo Baptistao (Nahuel 46‘), Soldado. 4-4-2.
Atlético: Oblak; Jesús Gámez, Giménez, Godín, Filipe Luis; Oliver Torres (Angel Correa 66‘), Gabi (Vietto 46‘), Tiago, Saúl Ñíguez; Jackson Martínez (Fernando Torres 46’), Griezmann. 4-4-2.
Goals:
1-0. 14. Baptistao. Picked up Soldado return pass and struck shot past Oblak.
Yellow cards: Griezmann 41’, Soldado 51’, Tiago 71’, Jaume Costa 84’.
Villarreal are the new leaders of the first division after a 1-0 victory over fourth placed Atlético Madrid on Saturday evening. On loan Atlético striker Leo Baptistao combined with Soldado to score the only goal of the game on the quarter hour mark, and Marcelino’s side had the better chances after that, with Soldado bringing a good save out of Oblak, and Samu Castillejo heading just wide. Jackson Martínez and Saúl Ñíguez tested Areola at the other end and Griezmann just failed to intercept a poor Bruno back pass. But other than an effort from Correa which Areola kept out, there were few chances after the interval, and Villarreal held on for a fifth win in a row which takes them to the head of the pack for the first time in their history.