Match report: three points from a cracking game against Real Sociedad | OneFootball

Great victory for Atlético de Madrid against Real Sociedad, in what has been the appetizer for the upcoming Copa final next April. But just an appetizer, as both teams reserved many starters, aware that the League is important, but there are other upcoming events that require rotations.

Good performance from those who started, good performance from those who came in later, and with the victory, they head into the Champions duel with high morale. Griezmann, Julián, and Nico González (who ended up being decisive, along with the Frenchman) didn't play, but Koke, Mendoza (who had to leave at halftime after a knock), Lookman, and Sørloth had a very good first half.

Just as the game began, a lost ball, in an unforced error, led to a throw-in executed by Giuliano, with a backward extension by Giménez, caught by Sørloth to score the first goal of the match in the fourth minute of the game. A promising start to the match, and it's true that the game was good, but with responses from a great Real Sociedad. And the first response came right after Sørloth's goal. It was in the eighth minute, when a good ball drive allowed the ball to reach Carlos Soler at the edge of the area, from a pass by Sucic. Soler placed it where Oblak couldn't reach, and the first equalizer of the match was on the scoreboard.

Atlético kept insisting, playing well, but without the decisiveness shown by Real in the match, yet leaving very good impressions (especially considering what's to come next week with the Champions). Sørloth, Giménez, Lookman, all tried unsuccessfully but showed a good Atleti.

But the worst part was not that the team couldn't score a second goal before halftime, but the injury to Mendoza, in a contested ball with Barrenetxea. A shame, but the young midfielder played very well, providing rest and rotation minutes to the midfield players. He had to leave the match at halftime, and we hope the damage is minimal and he doesn't miss many days.

GREAT SECOND HALF WITH GOALS AND VICTORY

In the second half, with Sørloth still on the field, players like Marcos Llorente (for Mendoza), Griezmann, Julián Álvarez, and Nico González came in to seal the three points. All of them were crucial to witnessing the victory goals in the second half. And among them, mention Griezmann who was once again the best, with tremendous quality in the midfield, distributing the attacking play masterfully (as always). And Nico González who returned after a long injury, in the best possible way, with two goals (and other chances that could have increased his scoring tally), to give Atlético de Madrid the victory.

He had opportunities to score before, but it was in the 67th minute when a drive by the Argentine, supported and assisted with a backheel by Griezmann, allowed Nico González to score his first goal of the match, placing it out of reach for Remiro (the Real goalkeeper was very accurate despite the three goals conceded). Immediate reaction from Real, once again, quickly equalizing with another great goal, from the edge of the area, this time with Oyarzabal as the scorer (he came off the bench).

Finally, we had to wait until the 80th minute to see Nico score again, this time the winning goal. Hancko tested Remiro who saved a low shot, keeping the play alive, with the ball reaching Ruggeri, who once again delivered a formidable cross, as in the last stretch of the season, with Nico González heading it very well, rounding off his return to the Metropolitano. Real pressed at the end, but Atlético defended well and without too much trouble, allowing them to approach next week's European fixture calmly.

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