La Real lost at the Metropolitano at the last moment. Today’s match has been effective and played for real. On the first-half, the txuri-urdin team were in front but the colchoneros put pressure on them on the next 45 minutes. Rulli’s great performance kept the result having few chances to improve it. Filipe Luis and the goal by Griezmann have prevented la Real from taking points in Madrid.
Today la Real had to play a good match, forget about la Copa defeat and take a step forward. They tried it from the beginning, it’s been an intense and good playing game. The first chances were for la Real. First, Willian José’s left-footed kick and then Xabi Prieto’s effort. Both chances should have been goals. La Real deserved to be in front and finally achieved it. At minute 30, Oblak conceded a penalty for tripping Mikel Oyarzábal and Willian José put it away from the penalty spot. Then, the Atletico, raised their spirits and were close to even the score. Twice, Correa found himself in a great scoring position but he didn’t score because of Gero Rulli’s great saves.
In the second-half la Real had to hang on. The local team were fighting to net the equalizer. The match was very one-sided and Atletico were dominating possession but Eusebio’s team put up with their efforts with solidarity and group sacrifice. At minute 63, Filipe scored goal. At the end of the match, Zurutuza had a great opportunity to score but he sent his header wide of goal. Rulli read the play well and parried the opponent efforts. It seemed that the final score would be 1-1 but at minute 87 Griezmann scored the second goal for Atlético.
La Real made a good impression but don’t take any points. Today’s match must serve as learning to face Zenit next Thursday at Anoeta, where la Real will fight for the Europa League leadership.
Line-ups:
Atlético de Madrid: Oblak, Thomas, Giménez, Godín, Filipe Luis, Gabi (cap), Koke, Saúl, Correa (Carrasco, min.70), Griezmann (Augusto, min. 89) and Gameiro (Torres, min.70).
Real Sociedad: Rulli, Odriozola, Aritz, I. Martínez, Rodrigues, Zubeldia, Illarra, Zurutuza, X. Prieto (cap) (Canales, min.70), Oyarzabal (Carlos V, min. 89) and Willian J.
Goals: 0-1: Willian J. (pen.), min.28; 1-1: Filipe Luis, min.63; 2-1: Griezmann, min. 88.
Referee: Jaime Latre. He booked the local player Godín and away players X. Prieto (cap) and Rulli.