Simeone follows father's footsteps in Atletico win
Atletico Madrid moved up to third in LaLiga with a 2-0 win over Las Palmas, helped by a goal from Diego Simeone's son, Giuliano.
Atletico's sixth win of the season moved it up to third in LaLiga after 12 games, while Las Palmas remains inside the bottom three in the Spanish top-flight.
Diego Simeone's side started strongly at Metropolitano Stadium, with Antoine Griezmann and Julian Alvarez going closest to netting the first goal.
But its dominant opening was rewarded in the 37th minute when Simeone was sent through by Nahuel Molina, with the Argentine slotting past Jasper Cillessen for his first LaLiga goal.
The hosts threatened to extend their advantage before the break, but Samuel Lino and Pablo Barrios saw their efforts unable to trouble Cillessen.
Simeone's side continued to dominate proceedings, finally getting the goal its display merited seven minutes from time, with Alexander Sorloth beating the offside trap before curling the ball home to seal the victory.
Simeone followed in his father's footsteps with his goal, netting his first strike for Atletico in his eighth LaLiga match, almost 20 years after his father and manager, Diego, scored his last goal for the club against Real Madrid.
Diego Simeone lauded his son Giuliano after the game.
"He's working well, he's training well... it's important for his growth. As long as there is humility, the heart always responds," Diego Simeone said.
"We are happy, we needed a match that would give us a good feeling. We were able to take the game where we wanted and we were able to win an important match."
The head coach, however, said he did not see his son any differently from other players in his squad.
"He did what he had to do, that's why he is at Atletico. He has a responsibility that has no name. They are footballers," he added.
"Those who run play and those who run less, play less.
"The club didn't spend money to buy a son on. He is a boy who was in the youth academy... we believe he can help.
"He will have good games and bad games, but for sure he has what it takes."
Sorloth also impressed after scoring again to seal the victory. Since his arrival in LaLiga in the 2021-2022 season, only Karim Benzema (46), Vinicius Junior (47) and Robert Lewandowski (56) have scored more goals than the Norwegian (43, level with Iago Aspas).
Atletico has now won nine of its past 11 matches against Las Palmas in LaLiga, losing only once, keeping a clean sheet in nine of those games.
