Second League defeat for Atlético
Atlético de Madrid fell at Anoeta after being ahead on the scoreboard with a goal from Mandžukić. Vela soon equalized and Agirretxe, on the home stretch, scored the final 2-1.
REAL SOCIEDAD 2 – 1 ATLÉTICO DE MADRID
Real Sociedad: Zubikarai; Carlos Martínez, Mikel González, Iñigo Martínez, Yuri (Zaldúa, 56’); Bergara, Granero; Carlos Vela (Zurutuza, 85’), Xabi Prieto, Castro (Hervías, 83’); and Agirretxe.
Atlético de Madrid: Moyá; Juanfran, Miranda, Godín, Siqueira; Arda Turan (Griezmann, 86’), Mario Suárez (Ansaldi, 54’), Gabi (Cristian Rodríguez, 86’), Koke, Raúl García; and Mandžukić.
Referee: Álvarez Izquierdo (Catalonian Committee). Sent Siqueira off for double yellow (48’ y 50’). Booked the locals Yuri (18’) and Carlos Vela (23’); and the visiting Mario Suárez (13’), Arda Turan (16’), Juanfran (16’), Raúl García (50’), Koke (80’) and Gabi (81’).
GOALS:
0-1. 10’. Mandžukić snaps a shot at Zubikarai to the far post after a measured cross from Raúl García from inside the box.
1-1. 15’. Carlos Vela, from outside the box, adjusts a shot to the Moyá’s right post.
2-1. 84’. Agirretxe, with a header, scores a cross from Zaldúa.
The match began with a slow pace but with two goal plays, one per team, which gave the show a kick. First it was Atlético de Madrid the one that perfectly executed a play we’ve seen more than once this season. Breakaway by Juanfran, with a pass to Raúl García and he crosses to the far post, where Mandžukić snapped a shot at the local goalie. The answer, five minutes later, with a low shot from Carlos Vela that surpeised Moyá. Godin saved under the woodwork a shot by Agirretxe to an empty goal on minute 35. In fact, the Uruguayan could have scored the 1-2 at 44’ with a header that went high.
The second half could not have begin worst for our team. In two minutes, we were down one player as Siqueira was sent off. The team did not brake down and the Croatian came close to scoring our second goal but his shot to a cross from Ansaldi missed next to Zubikarai’s right post. Real Sociedad tried and scored the winning goal from a cross by Zaldúa from the left sideline and headed in by Agirretxe. Second defeat of our team in the League.