Antoine Griezmann is unleashed. The Frenchman has been released since his definitive signing for Atlético. Now Simeone has the French full-time (before he could only play 50% of the minutes) and the striker responds by throwing the team on his shoulder. Two goals from Griezmann, the first of them Olympic, knocked down Betis’s resistance at Villamarín and gave victory to the colchoneros, who came from a draw at home against Rayo. Griezmann was chosen as the man of the match.
Betis were able to equalize at the last minute with a header from Álex Moreno that went off the crossbar. Betis’s first defeat at home this season and Pellegrini’s jinx with Simeone were consummated. The Chilean has lost seven games in a row against the Argentine.
The victory allows Atlético to cling to third place in the table. It was an afternoon that generated good news for Atlético. Oblak returned to goal, which is always life insurance, and João Félix had minutes of play, although not too many. He played the last quarter of an hour in substitution for Griezmann. He had a good chance to score, one against which ended in a one-on-one that was blocked by Rui Silva, the Betis goalkeeper, and it would have been 1-3.
The first part was left over. Except for a couple of Betis occasions there was nothing remarkable. Atlético dedicated themselves to cooling down the game. Everything that was good came in the second. It started with a disallowed goal against Luiz Henrique for a clear shot by Borja Iglesias. Griezmann scored the Olympic goal in minute 54. Pezzella couldn’t help it on the line. He scored the Frenchman again at 72 after a wall with Cunha.
Betis did not give up after the setback and found their goal in a free kick by Nabil Fekir, who reappeared after four games absent. Alex Moreno was able to equalize in the 90th minute, but the wood prevented it and Atlético breathed, celebrating the victory in style. Now it’s his turn to defend his Champions League options against Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen on Wednesday.
1 – Betis: Rui Silva; Sabaly (Aitor Ruibal, m.75), Pezzella, Luiz Felipe (Victor Ruiz, m.20), Alex Moreno; Guido Rodriguez, Guard (Fekir, m.75); Louis Henry (Joaquin, m.65), William Carvalho, Rodri (John Cruz, m.65); and Borja Churches.
2 – Atletico de Madrid: Oblak; Molina, Savic, Gimenez, Reinildo; Correa (Carrasco, 76), Witsel, Kondogbia, Saul (De Paul, 86), Griezmann (Joao Felix, 76) and Morata (Cunha, 59).
Goals: 0-1, M.54: Griezmann. 0-2, M.70: Griezmann. 1-2, M.84: Fekir.
Referee: Jesús Gil Manzano (Extremeño Committee). He booked the visitors Nahuel Molina (m.38), Morata (m.57) and Kondogbia (m.69), and the locals Guido Rodríguez (m.57) and Rui Silva (m.88).
Incidents: Match of the eleventh day of LaLiga Santander played at the Benito Villamarín stadium before 50,179 spectators.
