He Athletic He has recovered his memory. Despite the difficulties of the beginning, returned to the path of victory in the Leaguethe one he had abandoned in the last three days. And he did it by coming back and leaving the Metropolitano grass filled with hope for what awaits him on Tuesday in the Champions League against Bruges.
Atlético’s latest results did not encourage us to think of a rout when Jofre finished off Dolan’s cross on goal from the right six minutes into the game. Espanyol soon began to take advantage of its plan, the one that talked about stealing and running away on the board. Jofre had interpreted it better than anyone else the first time. And Atlético had to come back.
Simeone used this time Baena to take Barrios’ place in the center of the field. Koke was not there, making way for Cardoso and Cholo thought of the former Villarreal player’s imagination as the best way to generate some play. And the prize came to him on the verge of half-time when with a single touch he illuminated the play that ended in Giuliano’s goalthe one that put Atlético ahead at the end of the first half. The play came from the right, with Sorloth, who reached the baseline, Griezmann extended it to take the ball to Baena and, when the entire defense was swinging to follow the path of the ball, Baena returned it to the place it came from where Giuliano was waiting alone.
It was a goal that meant something more than the comeback. It was recognition for Baena, who has not found his place after being injured in the match against Barcelona, and for Giuliano, who after an overwhelming start to the season seems to have gotten stuck in the last few games.
Atlético had already freed itself by then with the Sorloth drawwho managed to put a pass from Llorente from the right into the goal. The Norwegian striker understands perfectly with his team’s full-backs. With Llorente he has already done it more times, but his connection with Ruggeri It grew during the game. From the left side where the Italian full-back moves came the Atlético’s fourth goal in a header from the Norwegian.
Simeone kept himself Koke and Julián on the bench. The Argentinian thing does not seem like a sign of distrust due to his bad streak, but on the contrary. In recent games he has resumed his relationship with the goal, although the League resists him, and Cholo’s intention seems more to protect him before facing Bruges than to condemn him. The problem is where to place him after the performance of Sorloth and Griezmann, who has clung to the starting team in recent games. The Frenchman is always fundamental, with his goals or his ability to form associations.
Julián had to enter to occupy the left side where he had moved. Lookman. The Nigerian scored again from a corner at the far post, in a play similar to the one that helped him score in Bruges. With that goal he has already scored in all competitions with Atlético.
Edu Expósito’s goal, in a great left-footed shot, only served to excite Espanyol a little in the final minutes. Although the points and the real prize would go to Atlético