Godin, Griezmann keep Atleti's slim hopes alive
Diego Godin and Antoine Griezmann kept Atletico Madrid's challenge alive as its kicked off a huge week in LaLiga's title tussle with a 2-0 win over Girona at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Atleti manager Diego Simeone had promised at the weekend that his team would fight champion Barcelona "until our last breath" and Godin's scrappy 76th-minute header kept it in the hunt.
The host came into this match 10 points behind Barca, also in action against Villarreal, and it was frustrated for long periods by a Girona side which provided a consistent threat.
Godin found a way through and, after Griezmann added scarcely deserved gloss with a superb stoppage-time chip, Atleti can head to Camp Nou for a meeting between the top two with its hopes intact.\
Atletico made a laboured start amid distracting scenes in the stands, as fans staged a 12th-minute walk-in protest due to a perceived lack of appreciation from the players after the Champions League defeat to Juventus.
Jan Oblak twice had to be alert to save stooping Seydou Doumbia headers, while opposing goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz was not caused any major concern until late in the first half when Koke cracked a sensational 25-yard effort off the crossbar.
Alvaro Morata failed to accurately measure a delicate bouncing lob over Iraizoz moments later.
The Girona goalkeeper parried clear when Saul Niguez superbly worked room for a shot just after the hour mark, before blocking well from substitute Vitolo, but it was Iraizoz's error that gifted Godin the opener.
He punched straight up in the air as he challenged Griezmann after a deflected shot and Godin was on hand to head into the empty net, with an initial offside call overturned by VAR.
Girona sought to rescue the contest but succeeded only in leaving itself open at the back. Griezmann twice ran through and, although Iraizoz saved well initially, the forward dinked a cute finish in with his second effort to seal the points.
