Football
Adriana Garcia 7y

Antoine Griezmann 'masterstroke' for Atletico Madrid hailed by Koke

Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke has hailed teammate Antoine Griezmann for his "masterstroke" equaliser that earned his team a 2-2 draw at Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.

Koke had put Atletico ahead but Athletic hit back with goals from Inigo Lekue and Oscar de Marcos for a 2-1 lead.

It was Griezmann's 14th goal of the campaign and eighth in La Liga. Griezmann's brilliant left-footed strike from outside the area -- his eighth in La Liga -- earned his side a valuable point.

The France international struggled to find the net back in December but now has five goals in six games since the start of 2017.

Koke told his club's official website: "It was a very beautiful and intense game. We had the game under control and we didn't make the most of our chances to extend our lead.

"They came back and in the end a masterstroke from Griezmann gave us a draw."

Griezmann, meanwhile, is a reported target of Manchester United.

The Independent reported last week that negotiations for Griezmann's move to Old Trafford this summer are at "an advanced stage" with United prepared to pay the 25-year-old's €100 million buyout clause.

However, Griezmann, who is in his third season at Atletico and is under contract with the Rojiblancos until June 2021, appeared to play down that speculation on Sunday.

During his goal celebration against Athletic, he is reported to have repeatedly shouted: "C'est ma maison, ici!" (This is my house, here!).

Sunday's outcome saw fourth-place Atletico lose ground on Real Madrid, Sevilla and Barcelona as all three won games and are ahead of the Rojiblancos in the Liga standings.

Atletico are eight points behind league leaders Real, who have a game in hand, at the halfway point of the campaign.

Diego Simeone's side are at Eibar in Wednesday's Copa del Rey quarterfinal second leg holding a 3-0 advantage in the tie.

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