Atletico Madrid ended a three-game winless run in all competitions with a 3-0 victory over Real Betis on Sunday, 31 evening at the Wanda Metropolitano.
Yannick Carrasco’s staggering first-half finish and an own goal from German Pezzella in the second put the champions in control against Manuel Pellegrini’s Betis side.
Joao Felix came off the bench to put home a third as Atletico delivered their best La Liga performance since the 2-0 win over Barcelona at the start of the month.
The visitors rarely offered a threat to Jan Oblak’s goal as they endured the eighth defeat in nine away league games against Atletico, a run in which they have failed to score in any of the past six games.
William Carvalho had a shot deflected by Oblak in the first minute of a match that started in a frenetic fashion, Betis looking to capitalize on a defense that had conceded at least twice in each of Atleti’s previous three games.
Jose Gimenez and Antoine Griezmann each came close before Carrasco broke the deadlock in stunning style, taking Angel Correa’s pass, turning away from Martin Montoya, and blasting high past Claudio Bravo at his near post.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2021/10/31/3246315-66443568-2560-1440.jpg?resize=1000%2C563&ssl=1)
Atletico Madrid players celebrate after Yannick Carrasco netted the first goal against Real Betis on Sunday 31, October in a La Liga clash. | PHOTO: Marca |
Luis Suarez headed wide when unmarked and Mario Hermoso saw the flag rule out a second when he nodded in Antoine Griezmann’s delivery, as Atletico continued to push forward.
A fine passing move saw Griezmann pick out Suarez, but Bravo denied the striker again. However, from the resulting Griezmann corner, Pezzella mistimed his header and nodded the ball firmly into his own net.
Substitute Felix completed the scoring with a well-taken left-footed finish driven beneath Bravo, a VAR check showing he had timed his run to meet Carrasco’s through ball perfectly.
Atletico’s win lifted them above Betis in the table and to within two points of leaders Real Madrid, second-placed Sevilla, and Real Sociedad in third. Sociedad had a game to come later on Sunday, however.
:focal(936x543:938x541)/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2021/10/31/3246338-66444028-2560-1440.jpg?resize=1000%2C563&ssl=1)
Joao Felix celebrates after scoring the third goal for Atletico Madrid against Real Betis in a La Liga clash on Sunday, 31 October. | PHOTO: Getty Images |
This win will also give them some confidence ahead of a Champions League visit to Liverpool in the coming week, especially after Jurgen Klopp’s side surrendered a two-goal lead to a draw with Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday.
Atletico should really have been out of sight before Pezzella’s unfortunate own goal, with Bravo making seven saves as Suarez in particular was profligate with his chances. The former Barcelona keeper has never before made as many saves in a single LaLiga match.
Suarez missed two big chances and had the highest expected goals figure (0.48) of any of Atletico’s attacking players during his 71 minutes on the pitch.
The Uruguay striker will need to be more ruthless against his old club if Atletico is to leave Anfield with a positive result.
After this match, Carrasco and Correa now both have two assists in LaLiga this season, with no Atletico Madrid player managing more so far (Thomas Lemar, also 2).
Betis attempted eight shots in this game, their lowest total in a match in LaLiga this season.
After this big win, Diego Simeone’s men face Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday before heading to Valencia on November 7 for their final game before the next international break. Betis on their side will make a trip to Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen on Thursday in the Europa League.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login