Bruges puts fear in Atlético
The Belgian team beats a soft mattress team 2-0 in both areas and complicates their ticket to the round of 16 in the Champions League
MADRID, 4 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Atlético de Madrid threw uncertainty about its future in the 2022-2023 Champions League after adding its second defeat in the group stage after falling 2-0 to Belgian Bruges on Tuesday, a rival that showed that its performance is not the fruit of chance and that once again uncovered the deficiencies this year in the mattress rows.
Diego Pablo Simeone’s team were unable to continue their great victory and image at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán and returned to their grayer image, which cost them three more points in the top continental competition, where first place seems almost owned by Carl Hoefkens, among whom the Spaniard Ferrán Jutglà stood out with goals and assists.
The Belgian champion put on a good game and took advantage of a certain laziness in both areas, especially in his rival’s own, who enjoyed chances, but again suffered from efficiency and even wasted a penalty. Porto’s victory against Bayer Leverkusen was the best news in another bad European night that leaves them tied on three points with these two teams.
Simeone opted for an eleven very similar to that of Seville, with Yannick Carrasco and Antoine Griezmann as novelties, to try to contain Bruges’ predictable strong exit from the start, led by an impetuous Buchanan, who caused many problems on the right side.
It was difficult for Atlético to take the pulse of the clash, but the first chance of the game was theirs, with Carrasco seeing how his shot against Mignolet went over the crossbar after colliding with a defender. The locals did not take a step back, although their best option was a cross that was aimed at Jutglà’s head and that Nahuel Molina deflected, leaving the Catalan with ‘honey on his lips’.
The Argentine winger gave a very good version and was also a danger generator. A combination with Griezmann caused the Frenchman’s powerful angled shot that deflected a Mignolet, who was quick minutes later to get the clearest of the match, a one-on-one with Morata, whom Molina had left alone.
Brujas regained energy for the final stretch, also marked by the injury of Marcos Llorente, replaced by Ángel Correa. Those from Hoefkens took advantage of a certain lack of tension around their area to get ahead on the scoreboard. Jutglà and Sowah made a wall and the Spanish striker entered without too much opposition to return a ‘death pass’ that only his teammate had to push.
Carrasco still had a free kick on the edge of the area to try to equalize before the break, after which Simeone put in Kondogbia to delay Witsel in defense for Giménez. Oblak held firm to avoid 2-0 in a powerful close shot from Jutglà, a warning that gave way to a reaction from the visitors.
The colchoneros were able to control the pace of the game more against a rival who preferred to lower their intensity and look for their options on the counterattack. Carrasco and Griezmann had a couple of chances to equalize a game that went uphill shortly after in another lack of forcefulness in the area. Buchanan held a ball sent by Jurglà from behind inside the area and served it to the Catalan so that he beat Oblak.
There was more than half an hour left before the end of the match and ‘Cholo’ opted to introduce Cunha for Morata in search of improving offensive performance with his rival already decidedly willing to keep his big booty. Atlético was in control, but again lacked skill in the final meters and some luck, such as Nahuel Molino’s close shot that deflected a defender when he was on his way to Mignolet’s goal.
However, the clearest for the Madrid team came in the 75th minute with the penalty committed on Cunha. But it was ‘Halloween night’ and Griezamnn crashed his powerful shot into the crossbar. Joao Felix was the last solution of the ‘Cholo’, but Mignolet did not allow nor a joy.
DATASHEET.
–RESULT: BRUGES, 2 – ATLÉTICO DE MADRID, 0 (1-0, at halftime).
–ALIGNMENTS.
BRUJAS: Mignolet; Odoi, Mechele, Sylla (Spileers, min. 89), Meijer (Sobol, min. 78); Nielsen, Onyedika, Vanaken; Buchanan (Balanta, min.79), Jutglà (Nusa, min.86) y Sowah.
ATLETICO DE MADRID: Oblak; Molina, Savic, Giménez (Kondogbia, min. 46), Reinildo; Llorente (Correa, min.32), Koke, Witsel, Carrasco (Joao Felix, min.80); Morata (Cunha, min.65) and Griezmann.
–GOALS.
1-0, 36 minutes. Sowah.
2-0, minute 62. Jutglà.
–REFEREE: Istvan Kovacs (RUM). He admonished Odoi (min.37), Onyedika (min.45+1), Buchanan (min.70), Mignolet (min.75) and Sylla (min.88), for Bruges, and Simeone (min.29) , Reinildo (min.53) and Savic (min.61), for Atlético.
–ESTADIO: Jan Breydel Stadium.