Atletico Madrid’s undefeated streak in LaLiga came to a halt on Sunday, courtesy of an unfortunate own goal by defender Jose Maria Gimenez. Real Betis secured a narrow 1-0 victory at the Estadio Benito Villamarin, ending Atletico’s unbeaten start to the season. The result sees Atletico Madrid remain fourth in the league standings with 20 points, just two points ahead of Betis, as Diego Simeone’s side face renewed pressure in the Spanish top flight.
Early Setback: Gimenez’s Own Goal
The match began on a sour note for Atletico Madrid when a defensive mix-up led to an early setback. In the fourth minute, Real Betis winger Abde Ezzalzouli sent in a dangerous cross from the left side. As Gimenez attempted to clear the ball, it took an unfortunate deflection off his leg and rolled into his own net, leaving goalkeeper Jan Oblak helpless. The early own goal handed Betis the lead and set the tone for a tough evening for Atletico.
Real Betis capitalized on the momentum, piling pressure on Atletico’s defense. Striker Vitor Roque, who was a constant threat throughout the game, had a goal disallowed in the second half for offside, sparing Atletico from a potentially greater deficit. However, Betis’ high press and well-organized play kept Atletico on the back foot for much of the contest.
Atletico’s Response Falls Short
Despite the early setback, Atletico Madrid sought to rally and regain control of the game. Argentine duo Julian Alvarez and Rodrigo De Paul, alongside Antoine Griezmann, worked tirelessly to create chances, but they struggled to break down Betis’ resilient defense. The best chance for Atletico came from Reinildo Mandava, whose powerful header from a corner was brilliantly saved by Betis goalkeeper Rui Silva.
Atletico’s attack lacked the sharpness and creativity that has seen them compete at the top of LaLiga this season. Griezmann, typically the talisman for the team, found it difficult to penetrate Betis’ defensive line, while De Paul’s efforts in midfield were thwarted by a determined Betis side that refused to relinquish their lead.
Defensive Woes Continue for Atletico
Atletico Madrid’s defensive vulnerability was once again on display, a worrying trend following their recent 3-0 defeat to Lille in the Champions League. While the own goal was a stroke of bad luck, Atletico struggled to regain composure after conceding. Gimenez’s early error compounded a frustrating evening for Simeone’s men, who have been uncharacteristically inconsistent at the back this season.
“We know football is about work and continuity,” said Atletico coach Diego Simeone after the match. “When you can’t find that continuity and only achieve it in parts, you suffer. We have to keep going.”
Simeone’s comments reflect Atletico’s recent struggles, particularly their lack of defensive stability. After conceding three goals in their midweek European clash, the early own goal against Betis highlighted the need for the team to tighten up defensively if they are to compete for silverware this season.
Betis’ Dominance and Near Misses
Real Betis, on the other hand, were full of energy and intensity, particularly in their bid to double the lead. Vitor Roque was a standout performer, using his pace and skill to create problems for Atletico’s defense. The Brazilian striker thought he had doubled Betis’ advantage in the second half, but his goal was disallowed for offside, keeping the scoreline at 1-0.
Nevertheless, Betis were the better team throughout, dominating possession and keeping Atletico’s attack largely at bay. Betis manager Manuel Pellegrini will be pleased with his side’s performance, especially their ability to stifle Atletico’s normally potent attack. Rui Silva’s exceptional save from Mandava’s header was a key moment in securing all three points for the home side.
FT: #RealBetisAtleti 1-0
Pellegrini beats Simeone for the first time as @RealBetis_en take all three points at home. #LALIGAEASPORTS pic.twitter.com/JSSUdf6cj7
— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) October 27, 2024
Atletico Captain Koke Calls for Calm
After the match, Atletico captain Koke stressed the need for calm and hard work as his team looks to bounce back from their first LaLiga loss of the season. “We have to keep going. Barcelona are 10 points ahead of us, there’s a lot left, and we have to stay quiet, work harder in training, and compete,” Koke said.
Koke’s rallying cry emphasizes Atletico’s focus on long-term objectives, with plenty of the season still to play. Although they have now fallen further behind league leaders Barcelona, Atletico still have time to regain form and climb back into title contention. However, they will need to address their defensive frailties and rediscover their scoring touch to do so.
Looking Ahead: Atletico’s Busy Schedule
Atletico Madrid will have little time to reflect on their defeat, as they face a busy schedule in the coming days. They are set to play UE Vic in the Copa del Rey on Thursday, followed by a crucial LaLiga home match against Las Palmas just three days later. Simeone will be keen to see an improved performance from his side, particularly in defense, as they look to get back to winning ways.
Betis, meanwhile, will be buoyed by their victory and will look to build on this result as they aim to climb further up the table. Currently sitting just two points behind Atletico, Betis are positioning themselves as strong contenders for a top-four finish this season.
Atletico’s Unbeaten Run Ends, But Work Continues
Atletico Madrid’s unbeaten run in LaLiga has come to a frustrating end, with an own goal by Jose Maria Gimenez sealing a 1-0 defeat to Real Betis. While Atletico struggled to recover from the early setback, Real Betis put in a solid performance to secure a valuable three points.
For Diego Simeone’s side, the focus will now shift to regrouping and addressing the issues that have led to their recent defensive struggles. As they prepare for upcoming fixtures in the Copa del Rey and LaLiga, Atletico must find a way to regain their form if they are to stay in the race for the Spanish title.
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