Sweet defeat of Real Sociedad against an Atlético that still aspires to runner-up

Sweet defeat of Real Sociedad against an Atlético that still aspires to runner-up

The ‘txuri-urdin’ team, mathematically in the next Champions League

MADRID, 28 May. (EUROPA PRESS) –

Atlético de Madrid beat Real Sociedad 2-1 this Sunday, thanks to goals from Antoine Griezmann and Nahuel Molina, on a 37th and penultimate matchday of LaLiga Santander whose combination of results served the San Sebastián team to tie mathematically the fourth position, which will give him access to the next Champions League.

In the Cívitas Metropolitano, the goal of the Norwegian Alexander Sörloth in the final moments was not worth taking a cut, but Real Sociedad also celebrated their qualification for the highest European competition. Not surprisingly, it was favored by the defeat of its rivals, Villarreal CF, during their visit to Rayo Vallecano (2-1).

The San Sebastián team first warned after six minutes, with a deep pass from Martín Zubimendi to Sörloth himself, who rushed the bottom line until he shot excessively from below. Ivo Grbic, wanting to vindicate himself after the three goals conceded at the RCDE Stadium, turned out well at the feet of the Norwegian.

A few minutes later, Griezmann replied with a Vaseline from the left corner of the rival area. But that subtlety did not get a reward, since Álex Remiro was not as advanced as the mattress play required to end in a goal. With both contestants watching each other closely, that situation did not arrive until 37′.

A long ball from Rodrigo de Paul, open to the wing, found Greizmann to control the side line and edge inwards. While the right winger Nahuel Molina went into that same area to drag a defender, ‘Grizi’ planted himself in the right corner of the area and hit a good left foot three feet from the grass.

Dodging several legs on its way, the ball lodged in the bottom of the mesh next to the post, while Remiro made the statue. Mikel Oyarzabal responded almost immediately, but with a very high pitch. Without a bite, Imanol Alguacil’s pupils hardly generated any danger before reaching the break.

Upon returning from the changing rooms, once again Sörloth was the first to shake the spirits of the visiting team. His arrival at Grbic’s area, unfinished with a truly threatening shot, did show the best intentions of a Real Sociedad that, despite everything, was not nervous knowing that their fourth position was certified.

On the mattress side, Griezmann monopolized the spotlight in attack with an approach from the side to the ‘kitchen’, but the San Sebastian defense closed their route to Remiro well. Previously, the blue and white goalkeeper had had work due to a shot by Sergio Reguilón, who made his debut on the Metropolitano’s left wing.

THE EXIT OF BELT TO THE FIELD, KEY FACTOR

The former Real Madrid player, who was replaced by Ángel Correa to change Atlético’s drawing, signed another discreet match; It served as a perfect metaphor for his gray spell at the rojiblanco club, quite far from the level he had in the past in his first forays with Real Madrid and, above all, in his spells with Sevilla FC and Tottenham.

Ander Barrenetxea was in charge of the great opportunity from San Sebastian, thanks to a powerful shot from the edge of the area that Grbic saved. That ruling preceded the 2-0 score, the work of Molina on 73′ after a quick play strung together with Correa and Griezmann. Thus, the Argentine full-back assisted his compatriot, who threatened to get rid of two rivals.

Making mischief in three quarters of the field, Correa advanced with the ball and passed to ‘Grizi’, who first hit a deep pass to Molina on the run; The latter, as soon as he entered Remiro’s domain, executed a strong right hand that entered almost through the corner, although the ball had grazed a defender.

Although Alguacil moved the bench as much as he could, only Barrenetxea seemed to have clear ideas in attack. He tried it himself with another shot, caught by the rojiblanco goalkeeper with his chest, but the goal of honor was signed by Sörloth in the final stretch of the match. In a slow-cooked counterattack, Brais Méndez found a loophole.

The former Celta de Vigo midfielder caught a glimpse of the Norwegian’s unchecking behind the Atlético central defenders, and there Sörloth exhibited composure to sprint and define with his left foot, beating Grbic at the start. Although the VAR gave uncertainty with the review of the goal, it was finally awarded because there was no offside.

Real Sociedad pressed to the conclusion, but without finding the necessary fortune to make the tie. In this way, the victory made the pupils of ‘Cholo’ Simeone reach 76 points and that they are still fighting to be runners-up; For his part, the ‘txuri-urdin’ defeat was sweet, as he secured his fourth place with 68 points.

DATASHEET.

–RESULT: ATLÉTICO DE MADRID, 2 – REAL SOCIEDAD, 1. (1-0, at halftime).

–LINEUPS:

ATHLETIC MADRID: Grbic; Molina, Giménez, Witsel, Hermoso, Reguilón (Correa, min.71); Saúl, Koke, De Paul (Barrios, min.81), Carrasco; and Griezmann.

REAL SOCIEDAD: Remiro, Elustondo (Gorosabel, min.59), Zubeldia, Le Normand, Aihen Muñoz; Zubimendi (Guevera, min.70), Illarramendi, Merino (Brais Méndez, min.59); Kubo (Fernández, min.71), Oyarzabal (Barrenetxea, min.59) and Sörloth.

–GOALS:

1-0, min.37: Griezmann.

2-0, min.73: Molina.

2-1, min.88: Sörloth.

–REFEREE: Pulido Santana (C. Gran Canaria). He yellow carded De Paul (min.59), Hermoso (min.63) at Atlético de Madrid; and Merino (min.27), Elustondo (min.54) at Real Sociedad.

–STADIUM: Cívitas Metropolitano, 56,169 spectators.