Dutch forward Memphis scores twice as Simeone\u2019s side beat Sevilla 6-1 in La Liga
\n MADRID
\nAtletico Madrid crushed Sevilla 6-1 on Saturday to move third in La Liga as Diego Simeone celebrated setting a new milestone as coach.
\nMemphis Depay struck twice for the hosts, with Antoine Griezmann and Yannick Carrasco adding to the lead, and Alvaro Morata adding a brace in a rout which affirmed Atletico\u2019s vast improvement in 2023.
\nArgentine coach Simeone overtook the late Luis Aragones as the coach in charge of Atletico for the most games, with this his 613rd at the helm of the Rojiblancos after taking charge in 2011.
\nSimeone has helped Atletico win La Liga twice and the Copa del Rey once, establishing them as a team capable of battling with giants Real Madrid and Barcelona for domestic honours, as well as two Europa Leagues.
\nHis team have misfired this season, suffering a group stage exit in Europe and not joining the title race, but after the World Cup they have found their groove.
\nHaving trailed Real Sociedad since November, they capitalised on the Basque side\u2019s draw on Friday against Cadiz to go a point above them and claim third place.
\n\u201cI asked two things from them, to play with passion and with heart, they have the talent (already),\u201d Simeone told reporters.
\n\u201cI am calm, I am in the place I love, I like seeing this team lift itself up in the difficult moments.\u201d
\nGriezmann sprinted over to celebrate his goal with Simeone on the touchline and said he had hoped for a performance of this calibre.
\n\u201cWhat is an important day for him, is an important day for me,\u201d Griezmann told Movistar.
\n\u201cI really wanted this game to be magical for him and the fans, because we deserve it.
\n\u201cSince the World Cup we\u2019ve been in an incredible dynamic, (and may it) continue like this.\u201d
\nThe thrashing left Jorge Sampaoli\u2019s Sevilla 16th, a point above the relegation zone, and they could be sucked into it on Sunday.
\n\u201cWe played very badly,\u201d Sevilla defender Marcos Acuna told Movistar.
\n\u201cIt goes beyond all limits. We played very badly and that\u2019s why we\u2019ve been beaten.\u201d
\nSimeone handed Depay his first start since his January switch from Barcelona, and the Dutchman took full advantage.
\nGriezmann threaded a pass through for the forward, who slotted between Yassine Bounou\u2019s legs to open the scoring after 23 minutes.
\nDepay hit his second three minutes later, driving a shot into the top corner from the edge of the box to double Atletico\u2019s lead.
\nSevilla pulled one back before half-time out of the blue through Youssef En-Nesyri from close range.
\nGriezmann restored Atletico\u2019s cushion early in the second half with a spectacular long-range strike, his 150th goal for the club, with Carrasco soon adding another.
\nIvan Rakitic hit the post with a penalty after Pape Gueye was fouled and Atletico made him pay by quickly finding the fifth, with Morata netting at the second attempt after a fine move with Griezmann heavily involved again.
\nGueye was harshly sent off for a second yellow card to make Sevilla\u2019s evening even worse, before Morata netted in stoppage time.
\nThere are mounting rumours this may prove to be Simeone\u2019s last season at Atletico, but if it is, the coach is determined to go out on a high, at least in terms of performances if not silverware.
\nSimeone\u2019s contract expires in June 2024 and with the team improving again, he may also decide to see it out.
\n\u201cObviously you can\u2019t imagine an Atletico Madrid without \u2018Cholo\u2019. If I\u2019m not wrong he\u2019s been at the club for 11 years,\u201d said Atletico midfielder Koke.
\n\u201cWhen he came, he brought a clear idea and change of mentality, he united everyone and he gave the club the stability it needed.\u201d
\nEarlier Saturday Villarreal climbed to sixth with a 2-0 victory at Almeria thanks to goals from Gerard Moreno and Jose Luis Morales, both set up by the electric Samu Chukwueze.
\nBottom of the table Elche picked up only their second win of the season as they beat Mallorca 1-0, but remain 12 points from safety.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Dutch forward Memphis scores twice as Simeone\u2019s side beat Sevilla 6-1 in La Liga MADRID Atletico Madrid crushed Sevilla 6-1 on Saturday to move third in La Liga as Diego Simeone celebrated setting a new milestone as coach. Memphis Depay struck twice for the hosts, with Antoine Griezmann and Yannick Carrasco adding to the lead, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":317781,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-317757","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n