@matallanas

Atlético Madrid: Griezmann should leave in January

Update: Nov 19th, 2017 13:18 EST

The first ever Madrid derby at the Wanda Metropolitano ended all square. And on this occasion, Diego Simeone wasn't taking a draw: he went all out to win the game. The jeers for Antoine Griezmann when he was substituted were the sound of an Atlético support at the end of its tether; they understand if their stars want to leave, but won't stand for them not running themselves into the ground until the very last second that they wear the red and white shirt. Griezmann had played at walking pace. He's on his way out of the club, and he should leave in January.

Griezmann (left) was whistled by the home supporters when he was substituted.PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOUAFP

SImeone surprises observers with attacking changes

When it looked like Yannick Carrasco was going to come on for Ángel Correa, Simeone sprang a surprise by throwing the Belgian international on for Thomas Partey. An attacking change. A declaration of intent in the opposite direction to what we're used to from the Argentine coach. And it was a message to his players to come out of their cave, because they had been defending too deep in the early stages of the second half, inviting Real Madrid and their immense cutting edge onto them. When with 15 minutes to go he turned to his assistant, Germán 'Mono' Burgos, and told him they were going to take off Griezmann and Correa for Fernando Torres and Kevin Gameiro, 'El Cholo' made it clear that this time, if he was to die at the hands of Los Merengues, it would - as we like to say in Spanish - be with an arrow in his chest, not in his arse.

Benzema again did little to merit his place

At the same time as Atlético made that twin sub, Zinedine Zidane threw on Marco Asensio for Karim Benzema, who had one of those games - and they're more and more frequent - where you can't help but come to the conclusion that this guy is the coach's pet. Los Rojiblancos were spurred on by the enthusiasm that Simeone's offensive double change sparked in the stands, and Gameiro had a great chance to make it 1-0. But, in the end, it was honours even.