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Atletico Madrid 1 Las Palmas 0: Simeone's men stumble to victory

A first-half goal from Antoine Griezmann ensured that Atletico Madrid made a winning start to the new La Liga season as they defeated Las Palmas 1-0 at the Vicente Calderon.

Diego Simeone handed a debut to new recruit Jackson Martinez, but the Colombian struggled to threaten the goal in almost an hour on the pitch.

Instead it was left to one of last season's leading lights, Griezmann, to settle the contest, though there was a large element of luck as the Frenchman's deflected effort secured three points.

However, Simeone will have concerns about his side's inability to kill the game off, with Las Palmas seeing a string of late chances repelled by the excellent Jan Oblak in Atleti's goal.

An opening goal for the hosts seemed inevitable as they continued to pile on the pressure and it duly arrived in the 16th minute when Griezmann's 22-yard free-kick deflected off the wall and left Las Palmas goalkeeper Raul Lizoain flatfooted.

And Simeone's men enjoyed another let-off in the 74th minute when Oblak pulled off a magnificent save low to his right to keep out a close-range effort from Aythami.