What drama at the Metropolitano! After 100 minutes of football, that late penalty seals the victory for Atleti, after Kondogbia’s red card and the resultant mistake by Oblak at De Tomas’ free-kick looked to have denied them! However, Simeone’s half-time changes changed the game entirely, with Carrasco proving the difference for the Rojiblancos and breaking the hearts of Espanyol, who were excellent throughout.
Starting lineup:
ATLETICO MADRID (4-4-2): Jan Oblak;
Sime Vrsaljko, Stefan Savic, Felipe, Renan Lodi;
Marcos Llorente, Koke, Geoffrey Kondogbia, Thomas Lemar;
Angel Correa, Joao Felix.
ESPANYOL (4-4-2): Diego Lopez;
Fernando Calero, Sergi Gomez, Leandro Cabrera, Adria Pedrosa;
Oscar Gil, Keidi Bare, Sergi Darder, Tonny Vilhena;
Raul De Tomas, Javier Puado.
Goals:
Atleti, break the deadlock!!! Correa turns to feed Cunha, who finds Carrasco on the run with a delightful through ball. He cuts inside, and when it appears the defence will crowd him out, he fires a low shot that beats Lopez at his near post to make it 1-0 to Atleti! The substitutions have had the desired effect on Diego Simeone’s side.
Espanyol is level!!! The free-kick is finally taken, and De Tomas’ strike sneaks around the wall before Oblak pushes it onto the post and into the back of the net! Oblak makes a rare and glaring error to make the score 1-1, and the last 15 minutes look set to be interesting.
Carrasco steps up, sends Lopez the wrong way, and slots it home to make it 2-1 to Atletico after 100 minutes of play!!! However, late drama and the back end of this game have made up for the poorer periods.
So, what’s next?
That late winner sees Atleti remain in fourth but pulls three points clear of Betis behind them.
Espanyol will remain 11th for now and are all but mathematically safe.
But one or three points in that game would’ve been so well-earned for the Catalonian side.
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