Atlético wake up before Anfield
Those of Simeone were imposed with solvency to a Real Betis who they displaced from the ‘Champions’ positions
MADRID, 31 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Atlético de Madrid has signed this Sunday a solid victory against Real Betis (3-0), in the twelfth day of LaLiga Santander, to clear their doubts and return to the Champions League positions, and arrives with high morale at the vital meeting in three days at Anfield.
An inspired Yannick Carrasco opened the account before half an hour and a goal from Pezzella’s own door and another from Joao Félix, substitute this Sunday, ended the Verdiblancos hopes in the second half, all to displace those of Manuel Pellegrini (21) from the ‘Champions’ area.
Thus, Diego Pablo Simeone’s men ascended to fourth place (22) and cut a streak of three games without winning after the break -the defeat against Liverpool (2-3) and the league draws against Real Sociedad (2-2) and Raise (2-2) -. Just in time to build up his confidence for Wednesday’s momentous game in England.
Under the watchful eye from the stands of the ‘Cholo’, sanctioned for his expulsion against Levante, the rojiblanco team took absolute control of the duel after a first attempt by Betis to take over the reins, in which he had time to scare Oblak with a left foot from William Carvalho from the edge in the first minute that the Slovenian goalkeeper cleared his fists.
The Argentine Rodrigo de Paul, who in the early stages called for a penalty for a stomp by Carvalho himself in the area, put order and Carrasco, magic, and everything forged in the 26th minute; After a play by Correa’s left wing, the Belgian received, went into the area, cut Montoya and put the ball with a shoe with a left foot in the square of the goal of Claudio Bravo.
Before, Giménez, with a header, and Ángel Correa, with a shot with a thread that went wide, warned a green and white team that accused the absences of Guido and Fekir and that they were unable to approach the rival area. After half an hour, Hermoso caught a rebound that sent over the crossbar, and Carrasco, shortly after reaching the break, was able to increase the income in a magnificent action against the Betic defense that failed to culminate.
Pellegrini reacted after passing through the changing rooms by calling Tello and Aitor Ruibal, but it was again Atleti who enjoyed the most dangerous occasions. In fact, Hermoso came to find the goal in a header as soon as the game resumed, which the referee canceled for offside.
Another header, this time from Carvalho, encouraged the visiting team, but it was just a mirage before the new mattress siege. Giménez, Savic and, above all, Luis Suárez, in a kick after Griezmann’s assistance that broke Bravo, were able to increase the account, but it had to be Pezzella who in his own door, when trying to clear, rewarded the red-and-white insistence (min.66 ).
Already in the 80th minute, the Portuguese Joao Félix, to whom Simeone offered 20 minutes, took advantage of a pass from Carrasco to space to win the game against Edgar and score, with a crossed shot, his first goal of the season, which sealed the victory of their own and filled them with confidence to face the tough duel at Anfield.
DATASHEET.
– RESULT: ATLÉTICO DE MADRID, 3 – REAL BETIS, 0 (1-0, at halftime).
–ALIGNMENTS.
ATLÉTICO DE MADRID: Oblak; Trippier, Savic, Giménez, Hermoso; Koke, De Paul (Cunha, min.84), Correa (Herrera, min.84), Carrasco (Lodi, min.88); Griezmann and Luis Suárez (Joao Félix, min.71).
REAL BETIS: Bravo; Montoya, Pezzella, Edgar, Álex Moreno; Saved (Rober, min.78), William Carvalho (Guido Rodríguez, min.66), Canales, Juanmi (Tello, min.46), Rodri (Aitor Ruibal, min.46) and Willian José (Borja Iglesias, min.78 ).
GOALS.
1-0, min.26: Carrasco.
2-0, min.66: Pezzella, own goal.
3-0, min.80: Joao Félix.
– REFEREE: Alberola Rojas (C. Castellano-Manchego).
–STADIUM: Wanda Metropolitano. 56,838 spectators.