体坛英语新闻：Griezmann brace shows Torres not a shoe-in for Atletico attack

MADRID, Jan. 3 (Xinhua) -- Atletico Madrid striker Antoine Griezmann sent a message on Saturday afternoon to returning hero Fernando Torres that his place in the side is far from guaranteed.

The Frenchman, who had ended 2014 with a hat-trick away to Athletic Club Bilbao, kicked off the New Year with two more goals as Atletico defeated Levante 3-1 in the Vicente Calderon Stadium with Torres, who will be presented to the fans on Sunday morning, watching from the Directors' box.

Griezmann's first goal came after 18 minutes as he moved between the Levante central defenders to head home a deflected cross from Atletico left back Guillermo Siqueira.

Atletico controlled the first half with few problems and constantly looked to open their rivals up down the flanks with Siqueira and Juanfran always looking to push forward from defense, although with Juanfran slightly wayward with his crosses, the second goal failed to arrive before halftime.

Juanfran must have adjusted his sights during the break because it was his ball from the right which set up Atletico's second. Although Levante goalkeeper, Marino made a flying save to deny Mario Mandzukic's header he was unable to stop Griezmann nodding the rebound home to score his second goal of the game.

Atletico looked to be cruising to an easy win, but the entry of Nabil El Zhar as a Levante substitute changed the game. The Moroccan had only just entered the pitch when he was on hand to deflect the ball home from close range following a corner to bring Levante back into contention just after the hour.

The visitors visibly grew in confidence and began to push Atletico back into their own half, but the home side's effectiveness from set pieces again saved the day with just under 10 minutes remaining as Diego Godin scored the third goal with a header from a Tiago cross following a corner.

Atletico now face a difficult week which sees them face Real Madrid in the Kings Cup on Wednesday before playing away to FC Barcelona in the Camp Nou Stadium next weekend.