Claims, comebacks and good vibes for Atleti in Libya | OneFootball

Great match from Atlético de Madrid at the Benghazi International Stadium, against Inter Milan. All in a game where they dominated possession, giving opportunities to those who had had few minutes at the start of La Liga, also players returning from injuries, like Almada and Giménez, as well as several academy players. The draw, undeserved, felt better after the penalty shootout, which decided the so-called Reconstruccion Cup, against an Inter who scored from a set piece to level the match.

And even though at the start of the game the Italians began pressing very high and dominating the early stages, that pressure and control of the ball gradually faded, giving way to Atleti’s control, very well led by Griezmann and Koke, showcasing their great level in La Liga. Always trying to push the ball forward, laying it off to teammates or switching play, all at the first touch. Yet another statement of the great level of two club legends.

That led to the first big chance at the ten-minute mark. From a set piece and a rehearsed move, we managed to put the ball in the back of the net thanks to a finish by Griezmann, which, however, did not go up on the scoreboard due to offside. An offside that was somewhat unfair, in my opinion, since the rebound the French star capitalized on came off Acerbi, Inter’s defender. A goal that, despite not counting, showed that the Frenchman is also in good scoring form… At last…

Immediately after, Griezmann and Almada, who was returning from injury and showing what he can offer the team, combined to leave the Argentine one-on-one with the keeper of the Italian side, Josep Martínez. The goalkeeper denied Almada’s attempted chip, which didn’t beat the keeper. Musso didn’t have to work too hard against Inter’s attacking attempts, quite the opposite of Josep Martínez who, nearing the half-hour mark, had to make a great save to prevent another chance from Almada, who had good minutes on the pitch after a long spell on the sidelines due to injury.

Then came the statement moment, with Carlos Martín’s goal in the 35th minute, after cutting into the box from the right side. He twisted away after being cornered by the opponent and, on the turn, struck a left-footed shot that the Inter goalkeeper could do little about. That’s how the first half ended: with dominance, statements made, and good feelings for Simeone’s men.

A tough injury, shared minutes, and good feelings

After the break, we saw changes and opportunities for the academy players, with the worst news being that Kostis, shortly after coming on, had to be taken off due to an injury that we hope isn’t too serious. The young center-back clutched his knee and left the pitch in tears, which suggested a serious injury. Bovo also had to come off with a sprain for Inter. Best of luck to both.

The start of the second half didn’t differ much from the first, with Atleti in control and chances for Carlos Martín and Carlos Giménez, who managed to connect with several balls from just outside the box, also from set pieces, which could well have been the second goal for the rojiblancos.

But it was Inter who managed to score with a header from a corner, thanks to Bisseck, who got the better of the Atleti defense on the hour. At the hour mark, Atleti had 60% possession, but from a set piece Inter grabbed the equalizer and ultimately avoided defeat in the 90 regulation minutes. They also had a chance to score a second in the 76th minute, when Agbonifo got past Kostis and, one-on-one with Musso, the Argentine keeper foiled the Italians’ chance.

But overall Atleti didn’t lose their grip on the game after conceding the equalizer and left Libya with good feelings.

But since it was a tournament, the winner had to be decided from 11 meters. In that, Atleti had luck, and after Koke’s miss on the team’s second attempt, we bounced back with two great interventions by Musso. Two superb saves on the Italians’ third and fourth penalties, where neither Luis Henrique first, nor Acerbi after, could beat the Argentine.

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Griezmann, Ruggeri, Janneh and Lenglet scored the penalties that gave Atleti the trophy, and the team returns home right after the football. Time to rest, enjoy the internationals’ performances, and eagerly await Simeone’s side’s return to official competition.

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