Atletico de Madrid and Valencia back to back!

We were entitled to a sacred poster this afternoon. If fans of the Spanish championship had already enjoyed this Eibar-Barca during which the trio MSG finally did wonders, another top team played this afternoon. For the ninth day of La Liga, Atletico de Madrid hosted Valencia at Wanda Metropolitano. If the Colchoneros have experienced a few meetings a little sluggish at the beginning of the season, they are well settled in the first positions and intend to play the title well. For this clash with a Valencia team that holds more or less course despite its extraterritorial problems, the Cholo was betting on a duo Costa-Morata ahead, while João Felix played on the right. Felipe and Hermoso lined up in the axis of the defense and on the left side, while Arias took the place of Trippier. A little experimental defense, therefore, against Ches deprived of Guedes and two major players, Jose Luis Gaya and Rodrigo Moreno.

In the end, the two share the points (1-1). This duel between teams who practice a fairly similar game with a lot of common points at the level of the principles like pressing and intensity started rather well, with formations that had a resolutely offensive face. Without much discovery of course, but they managed to reach the rival surface without major worries. It was Saul Ñiguez who signed the first real opportunity, with this curling shot that grazed the left post of Cillessen, following a perfect setback of Diego Costa (18th). Morata did not take advantage of this Koke caviar and his quilted ball attempt was missed (21st). In the wake, Diego Costa crossed a little too his half-volley in the area. The Colchoneros took control, but the Murcielagos also knew how to be dangerous, on the lookout for the mistakes of their rival, like this strike of Cheryshev captured by Oblak not without difficulty. João Felix knocked and Morata was close to being able to take the second post (32).

A habit for Atletico

The offensives were chained, and what was to happen happened with the help of Denis Cheryshev. The Russian touched the ball with his hand in his area. Diego Costa did not shake and converted the penalty (1-0, 36th). From then on, Atletico lowered the pace a bit, while remaining focused in defense. Opposite, Albert Celades' troops were coming to nothing, and Jan Oblak was having a quiet evening. At the break, the rojiblanco advantage was therefore more than logical, and Valencia was doing well with this little goal of delay. After the break, the Colchoneros were a few frights, and after a caviar Maxi Gomez, Cheryshev crushed his shot on the bar (52). The Ches came back with much better intentions, and made the law on the lawn of Wanda Metropolitano.

The locals managed to pull themselves together little by little, tightening the lines behind and in the middle of the field. Diego Simeone shielded his midfield with the entry of Marcos Llorente in particular. João Felix badly took a center Thomas Lemar, also entered the game in the second half (69th). After a good individual action, Santiago Arias chained on a powerful shot, well captured by the keeper che. Let it be said, the second period was much less exciting than the first. The Colombian side was missing then on this beautiful situation of numerical superiority, putting too much time to shoot or to shift for Costa. At the same time, João Felix was injured and had to leave his partners, El Cholo having already made the three changes. Dani Parejo did not miss him. On free kick, he sent a missile skylight (1-1, 81st). Exceptional. The Slovenian, a few minutes later, released a superb parade on the shot from the Spaniard (84). Kang-In Lee, entered a few minutes earlier, was kicked out after a big tackle on Arias. The score remained there, and once again, Atletico lost points after leading and releasing. The Colchoneros are temporarily fourth, Valencia is sixth.