Atlético fall to Villarreal, who are able to score at the key moments (2-0)
Quique is sent off at halftime of the match
Atlético de Madrid lost to Villarreal at El Madrigal, as the home squad was able to score during the crucial minutes of the encounter. After a good start from the ‘rojiblancos’, and several controversial plays which hurt Quique Sánches Flores’ men, the team managed by Juan Carlos Garrido scored the first goal of the match. At the beginning of the second half, the second goal would come for Villarreal which allowed them to earn an important victory.
Villarreal and Atlético de Madrid came into the game separated by a small three-point difference with the home squad ahead. A high-tension and, therefore, serious match was expected. The clash didn’t let the spectators down and there was a bit of everything: several non-called penalties and even a goal that was called back for an inexistent offside.
Quique Sánchez Flores knew his opponent’s strong points and made a game plan to shorten the pitch. He moved the defensive line up in order to try and suffocate the release of the ball for Villarreal, and for this reason played Raúl García for Tiago, and on the other hand once again played Diego Costa in attack, leaving Forlán on the bench.
The visitors played very well in the opening minutes. They stole the ball quickly and started up their attacks. Simão fell inside the area right after the kick-off, but the referee didn’t see the clear penalty. But the ‘rojiblancos’ brushed it off and didn’t drop their heads because of that non-call, continuing with their plan: to go for the win. With quick attacks and first-touch passes, they took apart Villarreal and arrived at the opposing area without problems. On one of those plays, Agüero got behind the defence and scored on Diego López. But the goal didn’t go up on the scoreboard because of a possible offside. It was one of those plays that was so close that either decision wouldn’t have been far off.
The ‘rojiblancos’ were giving a good image. The changes made in the starting line-up, Raúl García and the continuity of Diego Costa in place of Forlán, had been a risky bet, but one that was going well. But in the world of football everything can change in the matter of hundredths of a second. A ball stolen in the Atlético midfield fell to Nilmar’s feet, the defence fell back, and the Brazilian striker saw Cani make a run. His pass through the back line was shot into the back of the net by the wide midfielder. Villarreal had taken the lead.
The goal didn’t change Atlético’s tactics. They continued to attack, though without much luck. Villarreal showed that their place in the table isn’t a coincidence. They gave a football lesson and even had a few chances to increase their lead, but fortunately for Atleti’s interests they couldn’t put another one in. The minutes passed and Quique’s squad tried as hard as they could, but the ball always died in Diego López’s area. However, there was another controversial play in the area of Juan Carlos Garrido’s lads’ area. On the final play of the first half, the keeper parried a shot to the side of the goal and Kun went for it as a defender brought him down, but the referee called the end of the opening 45 minutes in spite of the protests from the ‘rojiblanco’ side, including those of Quique Sánches Flores, who was sent off for his arguing.
Atlético began the second half fired up and with the intention of making a comeback. Little-by-little they began to approach the opposing area. But again a through pass from the home team was lethal to their interests. In the 51st minute Rossi took in a pass inside the area, dribbled a few defenders and was able to get off a shot that snuck in at De Gea’s near post.
The ‘rojiblanco’ manager, who followed the rest of the game from the President’s Box, made a double substitution. Forlán and Tiago came on to strengthen the front line and the central midfield. They tried, but Ramírez Domínguez didn’t have a good day and didn’t see another clear penalty on Kun Agüero in minute 62. So many mistakes affected the ‘rojiblanco’ play. They were unsure about how to face the following minutes, as although there was still time to try and turn around the score, they were out of the match and in the end lost their third match in league play against one of their direct rivals for a Champions League spot.
VILLARREAL, 2 (Cani and Rossi); ATLÉTICO DE MADRID, 0
Villarreal: Diego López; Ángel, Marchena, Gonzalo, Capdevila; Marcos Senna (Matilla, 46’), Bruno, Cazorla, Cani; Rossi (M. Rubén, 88') and Nilmar (Mario, 84’).
Atlético de Madrid: De Gea; Ujfalusi, Perea, Godín, Filipe Luis, 46; Paulo Assunçao (Tiago, 57’), Raúl García, José Antonio Reyes; Simão (Fran Mérida, 78’); Diego Costa (Forlán, 57’) and Agüero.
Referee: Ramírez Domínguez. For Villarreal showed a yellow card to Rossi (58’); and for Atlético booked Perea (19’) and Diego Costa (43’). Red card for Quique Sánchez Flores (45’).
Incidents: Estadio El Madrigal. Around 15,000 spectators. Week 8 of the League National Championship.
GOALS:
1-0 (18’). Cani marches in on De Gea and beats him on the ground.
2-0 (51'). Rossi scores from inside the area.
Villarreal and Atlético de Madrid came into the game separated by a small three-point difference with the home squad ahead. A high-tension and, therefore, serious match was expected. The clash didn’t let the spectators down and there was a bit of everything: several non-called penalties and even a goal that was called back for an inexistent offside.
Quique Sánchez Flores knew his opponent’s strong points and made a game plan to shorten the pitch. He moved the defensive line up in order to try and suffocate the release of the ball for Villarreal, and for this reason played Raúl García for Tiago, and on the other hand once again played Diego Costa in attack, leaving Forlán on the bench.
The visitors played very well in the opening minutes. They stole the ball quickly and started up their attacks. Simão fell inside the area right after the kick-off, but the referee didn’t see the clear penalty. But the ‘rojiblancos’ brushed it off and didn’t drop their heads because of that non-call, continuing with their plan: to go for the win. With quick attacks and first-touch passes, they took apart Villarreal and arrived at the opposing area without problems. On one of those plays, Agüero got behind the defence and scored on Diego López. But the goal didn’t go up on the scoreboard because of a possible offside. It was one of those plays that was so close that either decision wouldn’t have been far off.
The ‘rojiblancos’ were giving a good image. The changes made in the starting line-up, Raúl García and the continuity of Diego Costa in place of Forlán, had been a risky bet, but one that was going well. But in the world of football everything can change in the matter of hundredths of a second. A ball stolen in the Atlético midfield fell to Nilmar’s feet, the defence fell back, and the Brazilian striker saw Cani make a run. His pass through the back line was shot into the back of the net by the wide midfielder. Villarreal had taken the lead.
The goal didn’t change Atlético’s tactics. They continued to attack, though without much luck. Villarreal showed that their place in the table isn’t a coincidence. They gave a football lesson and even had a few chances to increase their lead, but fortunately for Atleti’s interests they couldn’t put another one in. The minutes passed and Quique’s squad tried as hard as they could, but the ball always died in Diego López’s area. However, there was another controversial play in the area of Juan Carlos Garrido’s lads’ area. On the final play of the first half, the keeper parried a shot to the side of the goal and Kun went for it as a defender brought him down, but the referee called the end of the opening 45 minutes in spite of the protests from the ‘rojiblanco’ side, including those of Quique Sánches Flores, who was sent off for his arguing.
Atlético began the second half fired up and with the intention of making a comeback. Little-by-little they began to approach the opposing area. But again a through pass from the home team was lethal to their interests. In the 51st minute Rossi took in a pass inside the area, dribbled a few defenders and was able to get off a shot that snuck in at De Gea’s near post.
The ‘rojiblanco’ manager, who followed the rest of the game from the President’s Box, made a double substitution. Forlán and Tiago came on to strengthen the front line and the central midfield. They tried, but Ramírez Domínguez didn’t have a good day and didn’t see another clear penalty on Kun Agüero in minute 62. So many mistakes affected the ‘rojiblanco’ play. They were unsure about how to face the following minutes, as although there was still time to try and turn around the score, they were out of the match and in the end lost their third match in league play against one of their direct rivals for a Champions League spot.
VILLARREAL, 2 (Cani and Rossi); ATLÉTICO DE MADRID, 0
Villarreal: Diego López; Ángel, Marchena, Gonzalo, Capdevila; Marcos Senna (Matilla, 46’), Bruno, Cazorla, Cani; Rossi (M. Rubén, 88') and Nilmar (Mario, 84’).
Atlético de Madrid: De Gea; Ujfalusi, Perea, Godín, Filipe Luis, 46; Paulo Assunçao (Tiago, 57’), Raúl García, José Antonio Reyes; Simão (Fran Mérida, 78’); Diego Costa (Forlán, 57’) and Agüero.
Referee: Ramírez Domínguez. For Villarreal showed a yellow card to Rossi (58’); and for Atlético booked Perea (19’) and Diego Costa (43’). Red card for Quique Sánchez Flores (45’).
Incidents: Estadio El Madrigal. Around 15,000 spectators. Week 8 of the League National Championship.
GOALS:
1-0 (18’). Cani marches in on De Gea and beats him on the ground.
2-0 (51'). Rossi scores from inside the area.