Atlético de Madrid suffer a tough loss to Caparrós’ Athletic (0-2)
Toquero vindicates himself at the Vicente Calderón with two goals
Atlético de Madrid lost to Athletic (0-2) in a match in which the sending off of Luis Perea was a turning point. A man down, Quique’s lads tried to get a draw, but the circumstances were too tough to overcome. Two goals from Toquero finished off the ‘rojiblancos’, who will have to put themselves back together for next weekend.
Quique Sánchez Flores’ lads showed up before their fans in need of earning the three points after the loss to Manolo Preciado’s Sporting de Gijón. Atlético wanted to get over the poor spell they’ve been going through recently, begin to move up spots in the table and close in on Champions League spots, which has been their goal since the start of the season. With the presence of Kun Agüero, who was returning to the pitch after recovering from his injury, the ‘rojiblanco’ chances took a leap.
Facing them were Athletic de Bilbao. Caparrós’ squad appeared sure of itself and well-placed from the opening kick-off, but the home team enjoyed more ball possession early on. Spanish international Fernando Llorente was very active in the opening minutes and tested David De Gea twice. The first chance for Quique’s men came in the sixth minute. Elías opened to the left for fellow Brazilian Filipe Luis, who carried down to the touchline before sending in a low cross that was cleared away by Iraizoz.
Forlán, a player who usually plays well against Athletic, was able to get off a good shot in the 14th minute, but the Uruguayan’s bullet from outside the area was off target. Neither of the two teams was able to create clear-cut chances. In minute 20, Atlético strung together the best chance of the match. Reyes sent through a nice pass for Agüero, but again Iraizoz saved a goal. The Spanish-Argentine tried again on a header one minute later, but this time the cross from Ujfalusi from the right was sent over the crossbar.
With these three consecutive chances, Atlético de Madrid came alive. Quique’s lads appeared more dangerous in attack and this forced the ‘lions’ to use all five senses to slow down the attacks from the home squad. But when things looked their best, Athletic created their best opportunity. A header from Toquero in minute 28 sent nerves through the Atleti bench, but fortunately De Gea got a hand on it to send it over his goal.
Athletic’s goalkeeper played a vital role for his team in the first half and showed his stuff again in the 31st minute when Forlán ripped a shot from outside the area that Iraizoz tipped over by centimeters. The ‘colchoneros’, little-by-little, began to gain ground. It was clear from what was happening on the pitch that the Madrid side wanted to tally the three points.
The match took a drastic turn in minute 38. Perea, who was battling Llorente for a ball inside the area, was called for a penalty and sent off by Teixeira Vitienes. The ensuing penalty was taken by the giant striker, but he sent it wide to the left. Luck undoubtedly sided with Atlético on this occasion. Athletic missed a great chance and the home squad picked up the pace.
Forlán could have changed the way the rest of the game played out in the 43rd minute. The Uruguayan, all alone in front of the opposing goalkeeper, took a strong shot with his right foot, but the ball went wide on the clearest scoring chance of the match. Athletic received their award in first half stoppage time. Iraola was quick to find space and send in beautiful cross to the far post where Toquero volleyed home into David De Gea’s net, thus notching a goal that made things very difficult for the ‘rojiblancos’.
In the second half, Atlético had to move some players around, as they were down to ten men. Caparro’s lads knew they had a numeric advantage and took advantage of it in the 47th minute. Fernando Llorente almost increased their lead on a clear scoring chance initiated by Koikili, but the Basque striker was unable to put his shot on target.
The home squad knew that they had to be solid in defense, but without forgetting about their offensive tasks, as they needed a win. In spite of being ahead on the scoreboard, Caparrós’ men didn’t seem to have control of the match. But Toquero’s efficiency and Iraola’s vision were deadly. Once again, Iraola served up a golden ball on a platter for Toquero to tap in for a 0-2 lead. Quique S. Flores’ squad was clearly having a hard go of it.
The expulsion of Perea and the goal right before the half depleted Atlético’s chances, and they were having a difficult time reacting. It was a harsh punishment for a team that was trying to come off a poor run of results. The rain began to intensify at the Vicente Calderón and the play became rougher with each challenge. Athletic defended well and Fernando Llorente had two chances in-a-row to further build on their lead.
Reyes tried his luck in the 82nd minute after latching on to a nice chipped pass from Juanfran, but the ball sailed just high. Things couldn’t go any worse for the ‘colchoneros’. In this second half, the fact was that scoring chances for the Madrid side were scarce and the Basques were the ones dominating the play. Thus, Atlético de Madrid were left with another loss, a painful defeat that will force the team to put itself back together again for their upcoming match against Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona.
ATLÉTICO DE MADRID, 0; ATHLETIC, 2 (Toquero, 2).
Atlético de Madrid: De Gea; Ujfalusi, Perea, Godín, Filipe Luis (Juanfran, 68’); Tiago, Assunçao, Elías (Domínguez, 46’), Reyes; Kun Agüero and Forlán (Diego Costa, 76’).
Athletic: Iraizoz, Iraola, San José, Ekiza, Koikili, Javi Martínez, Gurpegui (Orbaiz, 57’), David López, Muniain (Susaeta, 84’), Toquero and Llorente (Iturraspe, 72’).
Referee: Teixeira Vitienes. For Atlético de Madrid showed yellow cards to Reyes (26’), Assunçao (44’) and Ujfalusi (74’) and a red card to Perea (38’); for Athletic booked Javi Martínez (35’).
Incidents: Estadio Vicente Calderón. Matchday 21 of La Liga BBVA. The Atlético organization celebrated its 100-year anniversary in this match by wearing the red-and-white jersey.
Goals:
0-1 (45’). Toquero volleys in alone at the far post off a cross from Iraola.
0-2 (63’). Toquero taps in after Iraola crosses in after a nice combination.
Quique Sánchez Flores’ lads showed up before their fans in need of earning the three points after the loss to Manolo Preciado’s Sporting de Gijón. Atlético wanted to get over the poor spell they’ve been going through recently, begin to move up spots in the table and close in on Champions League spots, which has been their goal since the start of the season. With the presence of Kun Agüero, who was returning to the pitch after recovering from his injury, the ‘rojiblanco’ chances took a leap.
Facing them were Athletic de Bilbao. Caparrós’ squad appeared sure of itself and well-placed from the opening kick-off, but the home team enjoyed more ball possession early on. Spanish international Fernando Llorente was very active in the opening minutes and tested David De Gea twice. The first chance for Quique’s men came in the sixth minute. Elías opened to the left for fellow Brazilian Filipe Luis, who carried down to the touchline before sending in a low cross that was cleared away by Iraizoz.
Forlán, a player who usually plays well against Athletic, was able to get off a good shot in the 14th minute, but the Uruguayan’s bullet from outside the area was off target. Neither of the two teams was able to create clear-cut chances. In minute 20, Atlético strung together the best chance of the match. Reyes sent through a nice pass for Agüero, but again Iraizoz saved a goal. The Spanish-Argentine tried again on a header one minute later, but this time the cross from Ujfalusi from the right was sent over the crossbar.
With these three consecutive chances, Atlético de Madrid came alive. Quique’s lads appeared more dangerous in attack and this forced the ‘lions’ to use all five senses to slow down the attacks from the home squad. But when things looked their best, Athletic created their best opportunity. A header from Toquero in minute 28 sent nerves through the Atleti bench, but fortunately De Gea got a hand on it to send it over his goal.
Athletic’s goalkeeper played a vital role for his team in the first half and showed his stuff again in the 31st minute when Forlán ripped a shot from outside the area that Iraizoz tipped over by centimeters. The ‘colchoneros’, little-by-little, began to gain ground. It was clear from what was happening on the pitch that the Madrid side wanted to tally the three points.
The match took a drastic turn in minute 38. Perea, who was battling Llorente for a ball inside the area, was called for a penalty and sent off by Teixeira Vitienes. The ensuing penalty was taken by the giant striker, but he sent it wide to the left. Luck undoubtedly sided with Atlético on this occasion. Athletic missed a great chance and the home squad picked up the pace.
Forlán could have changed the way the rest of the game played out in the 43rd minute. The Uruguayan, all alone in front of the opposing goalkeeper, took a strong shot with his right foot, but the ball went wide on the clearest scoring chance of the match. Athletic received their award in first half stoppage time. Iraola was quick to find space and send in beautiful cross to the far post where Toquero volleyed home into David De Gea’s net, thus notching a goal that made things very difficult for the ‘rojiblancos’.
In the second half, Atlético had to move some players around, as they were down to ten men. Caparro’s lads knew they had a numeric advantage and took advantage of it in the 47th minute. Fernando Llorente almost increased their lead on a clear scoring chance initiated by Koikili, but the Basque striker was unable to put his shot on target.
The home squad knew that they had to be solid in defense, but without forgetting about their offensive tasks, as they needed a win. In spite of being ahead on the scoreboard, Caparrós’ men didn’t seem to have control of the match. But Toquero’s efficiency and Iraola’s vision were deadly. Once again, Iraola served up a golden ball on a platter for Toquero to tap in for a 0-2 lead. Quique S. Flores’ squad was clearly having a hard go of it.
The expulsion of Perea and the goal right before the half depleted Atlético’s chances, and they were having a difficult time reacting. It was a harsh punishment for a team that was trying to come off a poor run of results. The rain began to intensify at the Vicente Calderón and the play became rougher with each challenge. Athletic defended well and Fernando Llorente had two chances in-a-row to further build on their lead.
Reyes tried his luck in the 82nd minute after latching on to a nice chipped pass from Juanfran, but the ball sailed just high. Things couldn’t go any worse for the ‘colchoneros’. In this second half, the fact was that scoring chances for the Madrid side were scarce and the Basques were the ones dominating the play. Thus, Atlético de Madrid were left with another loss, a painful defeat that will force the team to put itself back together again for their upcoming match against Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona.
ATLÉTICO DE MADRID, 0; ATHLETIC, 2 (Toquero, 2).
Atlético de Madrid: De Gea; Ujfalusi, Perea, Godín, Filipe Luis (Juanfran, 68’); Tiago, Assunçao, Elías (Domínguez, 46’), Reyes; Kun Agüero and Forlán (Diego Costa, 76’).
Athletic: Iraizoz, Iraola, San José, Ekiza, Koikili, Javi Martínez, Gurpegui (Orbaiz, 57’), David López, Muniain (Susaeta, 84’), Toquero and Llorente (Iturraspe, 72’).
Referee: Teixeira Vitienes. For Atlético de Madrid showed yellow cards to Reyes (26’), Assunçao (44’) and Ujfalusi (74’) and a red card to Perea (38’); for Athletic booked Javi Martínez (35’).
Incidents: Estadio Vicente Calderón. Matchday 21 of La Liga BBVA. The Atlético organization celebrated its 100-year anniversary in this match by wearing the red-and-white jersey.
Goals:
0-1 (45’). Toquero volleys in alone at the far post off a cross from Iraola.
0-2 (63’). Toquero taps in after Iraola crosses in after a nice combination.
