Match report, defeat in Seville but plenty of positives | OneFootball

A transitional game for Atleti, on this throwback matchday that Diego Simeone’s men had to play against a Sevilla FC side far more in need of points than the Rojiblancos.

And that’s because each team’s mind was on very different things. While the side from Nervión is desperate for points to avoid relegation, Atleti’s mind is focused on the dream week ahead of us starting next Tuesday, with the clash against Barça in the Champions League and then on Saturday with the Copa final against Real Sociedad.

With that in mind, Atleti rotated heavily, giving many academy players the chance to enjoy minutes in the First Division, which made for an open match that suited both sides’ interests.

With Rayane Belaid, Julio Díaz, Dani Martínez and Javi Boñar, Atleti showed great enthusiasm and Sevilla great drive from the very start as they tried to secure the win. As a result of that, and of an early spell of pressure on Cholo’s team, we saw Sevilla win a penalty that the referee did not spot at first, but which was later corrected by VAR.

Javi Martínez tried to clear, but Isaac Romero got there first and was caught on the leg, allowing Akor Adams to score the first goal of the match afterward, despite a very good dive. A blow for the boys, who from then on fought to shake off the pressure and began to look for the opposition goal, creating danger that would eventually be rewarded.

That reward came in the 34th minute, in the finest moment of the match, with a move involving Almada and Julio Díaz, who delivered an excellent cross for Javi Boñar to finish brilliantly, marking his First Division debut in style.

The score remained level until stoppage time, when Atleti failed to defend a set piece properly, not picking up their markers well, and Gudelj scored the second goal, heading home unmarked in the heart of the box.

No reward for control in the second half

In the second half, Sevilla handed all the initiative and control of the game to Atleti, but to no avail: no dangerous shots, getting bogged down in passes around the edge of the area without producing threatening efforts or crosses to make the most of Sørloth’s presence in the box.

Even though Lookman came on in the second half, the equalizer did not arrive in the final stretch of the match, but there was still satisfaction with the work done and the valuable rest our players have had ahead of what is to come next week.

¡AUPA ATLETI!… and honor to the academy lads.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.