

Sections
Services
Highlight
Ignacio Tylko
Madrid
Sábado, 25 de enero 2025, 18:40
Marcelino often proves to be a thorn in Cholo Simeone's side, and the Asturian coach demonstrated this once more in an exciting afternoon where Villarreal secured a valuable point at the Metropolitano, marking another setback for Atlético in their league battle. The Colchoneros had strung together fifteen consecutive victories across all competitions, but were brought to a halt in the league with defeats against Leganés and these insufficient draws against an opponent who had conquered this very stadium two years ago.
The Colchoneros perhaps felt the aftereffects of their high-flying Champions League clash against Xabi Alonso's formidable squad, and also had to play catch-up following the contentious penalty awarded for Reinildo's foul on Gerard Moreno, which put the Submarine ahead. Lino equalised in the second half, and either team could have won due to their ambition and chances. They lacked freshness, order, intensity, and precision in both areas, and it would be unwise for the Colchoneros to seek excuses in Sánchez Martínez's refereeing, as they also demanded several penalties in the visitors' area.
Atlético
Oblak, Molina, Witsel, Le Normand, Reinildo (Lino, min. 46), Giuliano (Azpilicueta, min. 46), Koke (Llorente, min. 70), Barrios, Gallagher (De Paul, min. 46), Correa (Griezmann, min. 59) and Julián Alvarez.
1
-
1
Villarreal
Luiz Júnior, Kiko Femenía, Logan Costa, Kambwala, Cardona, Comesaña, Gueye, Yeremy (Denis Suárez, min. 68), Baena (Cabanes, min. 90), Gerard Moreno (Ayoze, min. 68) and Barry (Pepé, min. 68).
Goals 0-1: min. 29, Gerard Moreno, penalty. 1-1: min. 57, Lino.
Referee Sánchez Martínez (Murcian Committee). Red card for Hernán Bonvicini, Cholo's assistant (min. 63). Yellow cards for Yeremy, Giménez, De Paul - who misses the next match -, Le Normand, Julián Álvarez, and Kiko Femenía.
Incidents Match of the 21st La Liga round, played at the Metropolitano in front of 63,596 spectators.
After the immense physical and emotional exertion against Leverkusen, Simeone sought fresh legs and minds with up to six changes against a more recognizable Villarreal. The Colchoneros started well, pressing, monopolizing possession, and creating some interesting opportunities, but without generating very clear chances. Just a couple of long-range shots from Julián Álvarez, the best of the locals, which Junior saved without much difficulty and little else.
The scene changed abruptly near the half-hour mark, following a rather controversial penalty for Reinildo's foul on Gerard Moreno, which the Catalan converted. The international forward was clever in gaining position over the Mozambican after a failed clearance by Witsel, but it's true that the Atlético full-back touched the ball. Iglesias Villanueva did not order a VAR review of the rather grey play, and from there, the yellows managed the situation until halftime.
The locals, more focused on protesting to the Murcian referee, lost their way in the match, and Marcelino's team was content with so many interruptions. They even threatened again after Baena dispossessed Koke and Gerard's shot was cleared by Witsel, providentially. Atlético unsuccessfully claimed two penalties, one that didn't seem like it because the goalkeeper took Correa down but cleared first, and another where Comeseña did recklessly grab Reinildo, but it's one of those that are rarely called. It wasn't the afternoon for the Colchonero defender on his return to the starting lineup due to Galán's injury.
Simeone didn't want to wait and made three changes after the break. The introductions of De Paul and Lino were positive, although Villarreal had an excellent chance in the first minute. A textbook counterattack, and when Gerard was about to push Yeremy's pass into the net, Witsel saved a certain goal. After the scare, Atlético intensified their attack and soon equalised, the result of an excellent team move finished by Lino after the goalkeeper's deflection. Griezmann came on, Marcelino made a triple substitution, and the contest was on a knife-edge because Villarreal threatened when they broke and in all set-piece situations because, among other things, one day the crossbar will fall on Oblak.
With 20 minutes remaining, Cholo exhausted his changes by bringing on Llorente for an inconsequential Koke. After a brief lull, Atlético resumed their charge in the final stretch. Barrios came close with a superb long-range shot that Junior deflected, and Griezmann also with a header. But it wasn't the day for a comeback.
Publicidad
Publicidad
Te puede interesar
Publicidad
Publicidad
Esta funcionalidad es exclusiva para registrados.
Reporta un error en esta noticia
Comentar es una ventaja exclusiva para registrados
¿Ya eres registrado?
Inicia sesiónNecesitas ser suscriptor para poder votar.