All eyes were on Antoine Griezmann before kick-off, with the Frenchman sitting just one goal shy of reaching 200 in LaLiga. The Atlético Madrid talisman made an early impact — though not in the way he would have hoped.

Alex Baena thought he had opened the scoring with a precise angled finish from Julián Álvarez’s incisive through ball, but the goal was ruled out after Griezmann was adjudged to be interfering from an offside position. Moments later, the Frenchman was denied by Sergio Herrera from close range as Atlético pressed for the opener.

Osasuna gradually grew into the game, with Víctor Muñoz going close after a driving run and long-range strike that whistled just wide of Jan Oblak’s post. The Slovenian goalkeeper was soon called into action, stretching low to keep out Lucas Torró’s near-post effort from Rubén García’s dangerous free-kick.

It was a frustrating first half for Diego Simeone’s men, compounded when Nico González was forced off injured and replaced by Giuliano Simeone shortly before the interval.

Griezmann’s milestone goal would have to wait, as he was replaced by Conor Gallagher 10 minutes into the second half. Alexander Sørloth also came on for Koke in a double change that injected fresh energy into Atlético’s attack.

Álvarez soon tested Herrera again after racing onto Marcos Llorente’s superb through ball, but the Osasuna keeper stood tall to block his effort. The Argentine then turned provider, crossing for Sørloth, who headed agonisingly wide from close range.

At last, the breakthrough arrived in the 69th minute. Giuliano Simeone burst down the right flank and squared the ball perfectly for Thiago Almada, who calmly tapped home from inside the six-yard box to put Atlético ahead.

The Metropolitano erupted, though the tension remained — and for good reason. Having dropped 11 points from winning positions this season, more than any other team in Europe’s top five leagues, Atlético fans were all too aware of how fragile a one-goal lead could be.

Their fears were nearly realised when Oblak produced a stunning save to deny Ante Budimir late on, preserving his side’s advantage.

Ultimately, the Rojiblancos held firm to claim all three points — their ninth home win in 10 LaLiga meetings with Osasuna under Simeone (L1). For the visitors, the defeat continued a dismal run in the Spanish capital, with no victories in their last seven away games against Madrid sides (D2, L5).