Narrow defeat in Salzburg
Our team lost 1-0 against Salzburg on Wednesday in the second pre-season friendly.
Atleti played the second friendly game of the summer at Salzburg on Wednesday. The hosts won 1-0 although our team had several chances to score and even had a goal disallowed.
The hosts had already played two official matches this season, whereas our team was mostly made up of Academy players. Salzburg dominated the opening minutes and collected the first chances. Oblak was there, though, to make a signature save 15’ into the game to stop the Austrians from taking the lead. Our best chance was a strike from Giuliano that was saved by the keeper. Riquelme was also active down the right wing, especially on the break. However, the hosts eventually took the lead in the 34th minute through Adeyemi.
Simeone made four substitutions at half-time as Serrano, Medrano, Ricard and Camello came on for Manu Sánchez, Riquelme, Alberto Moreno and Soriano. Giuliano equalised through a great strike in the opening minutes of the second half, but the VAR eventually disallowed the goal due to an alleged handball. Simeone made another four changes with just over 20’ to go. This time, Oblak, Hermoso, Valera and Giuliano made way for Grbic, Montero, Guerrero and Garcés. Our coach made a further two substitutions in the 76th minute, when Arias and Carlos Martín came on for Camus and Saúl. Our young players fought until the end for the equaliser, but our second pre-season friendly ended 1-0.
Next up: Wolfsburg on Saturday.
