Direct Chronicle
Atlético is without a doubt an art. With two goals from Griezmann, one of them from a corner, and some order taking advantage of two mistakes by Betis goalkeeper Rui Silva, Simeone’s team won an important win to take third place. Griezmann’s Olympian fell five minutes after VAR confirmed Luiz Henrique was just offside. The Bético had beaten Oblak and the goal went to the scoreboard. The betic joy disappeared with the intervention of technology.
1
Guido Rodríguez, Álex Moreno, William Carvalho, Rui Silva, Guardado (Fekir, min. 75), Sabaly (Aitor Ruibal, min. 75), Luiz Felipe (Víctor Ruiz, min. 20), Pezzella, Rodri (Joaquín, min. 65), Borja Iglesias and Luiz Henrique
two
Griezmann (Carrasco, min. 75), Saúl (De Paul, min. 86), Savic, Morata (Matheus Cunha, min. 59), Kondogbia, Correa (João Félix, min. 75), Oblak, Reinildo Mandava, Giménez, Nahuel Molina and Witsel
Gates 0-1 min 54: Griezmann. 0-2 mins. 70: Griezmann. 1-2 minutes 84: Fekir.
referee Jesus Gil Manzano
Yellow cards Nahuel Molina (min. 38), Morata (min. 57), Kondogbia (min. 69) and Rui Silva (min. 88)
Atlético scored two goals from three shots on goal and suffered in the closing stages of the clash when Betis, energized by Joaquín and Fekir, finally became Betis. A team that attacked Atlético’s jugular and equalized with a shot from the crossbar by Álex Moreno. Fekir’s free-kick gave the Andalusians wings. It couldn’t be. Atlético’s art has once again prevailed. A silent poison that handcuffed Betis for more than an hour of the game. A way of playing football that was as practical as it was boring, but which paid off in an Olympic goal that saw goalkeeper Rui Silva and the entire Betis defense put a mid-ball into the Andalusian goal.
Atlético, who had always defended well, ended Betis’ streak at Benito Villamarín, where they racked up five straight wins, making them the best team at home. You might like it more or less, but that has its merits. Betis had it too, which only when it was released became a real threat against a hard-to-reach team.
More information
A flamenco background enlivened the ceremonial prelude to the duel between Betis and Atlético. “They should have stayed the whole game,” Benito Villamarín said in the stands. The sun, peeping in from behind the preference stands, no doubt invited a siesta. It’s really incomprehensible that a match between fourth and fifth in the league offers so little. There are reasons that can explain it in the case of Betis. Pellegrini could not count on Canales, who was sanctioned, and Fekir, who was benched between cottons after suffering an injury. They are two completely different players in the Betis team.
A fiery retreat
Given the perceived size of the rivals, the veteran Chilean coach opted to improve William Carvalho’s position and add Guardado to the midfield. A more static Betis with little ability to overrun lines who suffered in attack against what Atlético were proposing. Simeone’s men’s retreat was abusive, searing, an invitation for Betis to have the ball in inconsequential positions. One can deduce that Atlético plays like that, but it sounds vulgar with so many millions on the pitch.
More information
An inexplicable case of apathy (no shot between the three Betis posts in the first half) that contained at least the momentum of an Andalusian side that, faced with the laziness of their rivals, decided not to take risks and settle for a draw. However, Atlético does one thing well. Join the lines and crush the opponent en masse. When it comes to players like Sabaly, Rodri or even Guardado, there is every chance to stop the game. In any case, the Betis short-circuit was obvious because players like Carvalho, much more far-sighted, were also canceled. Betis breathed in an attack from Álex Moreno on the left or Luiz Henrique on the right. He also took six corner kicks in the first half. Just finished one. And bad. The rest was a tiring repertoire of predictable passes and footing. Betis also regretted the loss of Luiz Felipe, their best centre-back, after 18 minutes.
The second half was funnier. Just a few centimeters resulted in Luiz Henrique’s goal being canceled for Borja’s offside. Atlético breathed more intensely, with a better occupation of space and, above all, with force. It was all about the details. Rui Silva, the good Betis goalkeeper, swallowed a Griezmann corner. Atlético breathed and Betis felt the blow. Without his rival doing anything, he lost the match. Silva again missed a weak shot from Griezmann, which slipped between his legs. Although Fekir and Joaquín changed the face of this Betis who scored and was very close to equalizing. Once again, the details worked in Atlético’s favor as Álex Moreno’s shot hit the bar in the 91st minute, and next Simeone ran towards his dressing room to celebrate the win.
Follow EL PAÍS Deportes on Facebook and Twitteror sign up here to receive our weekly newsletter.