Raúl García serves as leader
Simeone’s players achieved a hard-earned victory with a goal by Raúl García in the first half. The team’s effort, along with the stands which were player number twelve, keeps Atlético as the BBVA League’s leader.
Atlético: Courtois, Juanfran, Godín, Alderweireld, Filipe, Mario Suárez, Koke, Diego Ribas (Sosa,70’) , Cristian Rodríguez (Tiago, 56’), Raúl García and David Villa (Adrián, 61’).
Villareal: Asenjo, Mario, , Gabriel, Jokic, Pina, Pantic, Joan Román (Aquino, 63’), Trigueros (J.Pereira, 69’), Bruno, Cani (Moises,82’) and Perbet.
The goal: 1-0. Min.14. Raúl García heads a great corner service from Koke.
Referee: Gil Manzano, Extremadura Guild. Booked Koke (Min.67’), Raúl García (Min.70) and Mario Suárez (Min.80) in Atlético. For Villareal, Gabriel (Min.42) was booked.
Incidents: Vicente Calderón Stadium. Match corresponding to the thirty second round of the BBVA League.
With the excitement of the 10.000 children who filled the stands of the Vicente Calderón. That’s how Simeone’s players took the field. With spirit and intensity, the Atléticos took control of the match from the beginning, having early opportunities to start the scoreboard. First came Diego, who after a corner kick, tried his luck with a powerful volley. The strategy was working perfectly, and in the next opportunity the first Atlético goal would come. Today’s captain, Raúl García, headed with precision a great centre from Koke for the Atletico’s fans delight. Villareal searched for their equalising goal, but the rear-guard of Godín and Alderweireld kept the danger far away from Courtois’ goal, keeping the 1-0 until the end of the first 45 minutes.
Marcelino’s team was wired after their visit to the changing rooms bringing their offensive lines forward looking for the goal. Nevertheless, Atlético, in David Villa’s boots, had the first chance to score in the second act, with a shot from the “guaje” which was saved by Asenjo. The yellow submarine counterattacked with two shots from Cani and Perbet, that missed the goal defended by Courtois. The entrance of Adrián and Sosa refreshed the Atléticos who enjoyed, after a play from both, of a good opportunity with a right foot drive from Raúl García with no consequences to the scoreboard.
The stands joined Simeone’s team titanic effort, becoming Atlético’s player number 12 and the team welcomed it gratefully. Sosa, very active since he jumped in, dribbled three on the side-line and handed it over to Tiago, who couldn’t make it past Asenjo. Villareal didn’t want to pass the chance of adding points in the most impenetrable stadium of the League, but Simeone’s team, strong and confident in the rear, did not yield other chances to the team from Castellón. The final whistle certified the leader’s celebration, since after another round, Atlético will sleep at the table’s very top.
