Atletico dig deep to draw at Girona after Griezmann sees red

Atletico Madrid demonstrated their remarkable team spirit to come roaring back from two goals and a man down to draw 2-2 at Liga debutants Girona on Saturday, after Antoine Griezmann had been sent off for the first time in his career. Girona looked set to enjoy a dream top flight bow when Uruguay international Cristhian Stuani rose to head in a sweeping cross from Alex Granell midway through the first half and three minutes later showed his predator's instinct to nod in a loose ball from close range. Argentine forward Angel Correa pulled one back for Atletico with a long range strike in the 78th minute, after Griezmann had been dismissed for two successive bookings, one for diving to try and win a penalty and another for dissent.

Antoine Griezmann has been sent off in LaLiga for the first time in his career.

It goes from bad to worse for Atletico Madrid. pic.twitter.com/6qKU6TsE4u— Squawka Football (@Squawka) August 19, 2017

Defender Jose Gimenez then beat Girona goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz to Koke's chipped free-kick to head Atletico level in the 85th minute and cap a thrilling encounter at the Montilivi stadium, which was hastily expanded for the club's first Liga game. "Girona are a solid team that knows how they want to play and they proved that in the first half, but I'm delighted with the good things we did, we again showed that we never give up and keep fighting until the end," Atletico coach Diego Simeone told reporters.

RUEDA DE PRENSA ? ? @Simeone: “El equipo sigue manteniendo vivas las ganas de no rendirse” ➡️ https://t.co/1tPUAEm0ID #AúpaAtleti pic.twitter.com/SvDGu9wPj2— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) August 19, 2017

Girona boss Pablo Machin said: "We were on our way to a memorable win, not just because it was a historic game for us but because of how we played. Just when it looked like we'd done everything to win, Atletico did what champions do and as well as their quality they had that slice of luck which we didn't." Stuani returned to Spain this summer after two years at Middlesbrough and already has half the amount of league goals with Girona he managed last season. His quick-fire strikes had the home supporters on their feet as they savoured the club's first game in the top flight in their 87-year history.

Muy feliz de ser parte de la historia del @GironaFC con los primeros ⚽️⚽️ en @LaLigaOrgulloso de mis compañeros por el partido?? pic.twitter.com/gj0dY3E5DR— Cristhian Stuani (@CristhianStuani) August 19, 2017

Atletico nearly struck back early in the second half when Griezmann launched himself acrobatically at a high through ball, but his bicycle kick flew past the far post. Once Correa had got them back in the game with his sublime strike, substitute Luciano Vietto should have levelled when he was played in the area, only to blast over the bar. Girona tired despite their numerical advantage and Gimenez eventually pulled Atletico out of trouble.

At ten men and still manage to fight back from 2-0 ? Atletico Madrid had an eventful second half against Girona https://t.co/87zCksQvXS pic.twitter.com/SOrYAmjLfU— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 19, 2017