Slim loss at El Madrigal
The match was decided in a play in the first quarter of an hour. Afterwards, Atlético had the ball, dominated most but it could not be. The local goalkeeper, Areola, saved his team twice.
Villarreal: Areola; Mario, Bailly, Víctor Ruiz, Jaume Costa; Jonathan Dos Santos (Denis Suárez, 68’), Trigueros (Pina, 75’), Bruno, Samu Castillejo; Soldado and Leo Baptistao (Nahuel, 46’).
Atlético de Madrid: Oblak; Gámez, Giménez, Godín, Filipe Luis; Óliver Torres (Correa, 66’), Gabi (Vietto, 46’), Tiago, Saúl; Jackson Martínez (Fernando Torres, 46’) and Griezmann.
Referee: Fernández Borbalán (Andalusian Committee). Booked the locals Soldado (51’) and Jaume Costa (84’); and the visiting Griezmann (41’) and Tiago (71’).
THE GOAL:
1-0. 14’. Leo Baptistao crosses in front of Oblak after a wall with Soldado.
The game began with a lot of tension, playing the ball in the midfield. For this reason, what Simeone had predicted in the preview, that the match would be decided by the details, was very soon fulfilled. A ball from Trigueros to Leo Baptistão ended at the feet of Soldado who returned the Brazilian a golden ball he didn’t waste in front of Oblak. It was the first arrival of Villarreal and it hit the target.
Jackson replied immediately but Areola saved his shot. Shortly after, it was Oblak who saved a clear chance from Soldado. But Atlético’s best came with the control of the ball and the domain in the second part of the first half. Griezmann could have ended it with a shot that Areola miraculously saved in the last minute of the first half. At this stage, that was the difference: the ability to score of the locals. Two chances for each team, only one goal.
In the second half, Villarreal fell back, letting our team control the game. However, tucked in their plot, it was difficult to create chances. Simeone sought to change the course of the match with two substitutions at the half-time, Vietto and Torres, and Correa halfway into the second half, but it was not possible. Even when Correa had it in the final stretch but Areola diverted the shot from the Argentinian to a corner. It could not be and Baptistão’s goal was valid. Now, to think about next Wednesday’s Champions match against Benfica.
