Carrasco and Barrios lead the win
Atleti beat Arenteiro 1-3 in a complicated match, with a heavy pitch, but in which the quality of our players was fundamental. Carrasco, from the penalty spot, equalised Markitos' goal. Barrios goal made it 1-2 and Carrasco himself rounded off the victory at the end.
Our team went for the game from the start against a combative and brave Arenteiro, supported by a loyal crowd in Espiñedo and with a large representation of Red & White fans.
In the 40th minute, Carrasco played a deep pass to Morata, who headed the ball past the goalkeeper but it went just wide of the post. It was the Galician side who did manage it. Markitos received a long ball and surprised Oblak with a high shot. However, from a set piece Giménez was brought down inside the area by Pol Bueso. González Fuertes didn't hesitate and pointed to a penalty that Carrasco converted in the 45th minute.
The second half started with a lot of pace. Barrios tried a shot that was saved by the home goalkeeper and, in the 58th minute, Carrasco was brought down inside the area by Vitra. Morata's penalty was saved by Diego García. The game entered a phase without as many chances as in the first half, but with Atleti dominating the game and Arenteiro more enclosed in their area and suffering from the tremendous physical strain of the match.
In the 75th minute, Reinildo crossed for Morata and Diego García saved again with a great save. But what he could not prevent was Barrios' left-footed shot from the edge of the area, which went in off the left-hand post of the Galician goal. A great goal to complete a great game from the Red & White youth player.
The home keeper again saved Morata's shot in the 85th minute from the omnipresent Carrasco. And it was precisely the two protagonists who took the game to 1-3. Morata saw Carrasco unmarked and gave him a great pass that the Belgian was responsible for converting after dribbling the goalkeeper in the 91st minute. A hard-earned and deserved victory in Diego Pablo Simeone's 600th match as Red & White coach 11 years after his arrival on the bench. Tomorrow, the draw for the next round. The next match, already in LaLiga, next Thursday 29th at the Cívitas Metropolitano against Elche.
