Villarreal take down Atlético with a goal by Soriano to come away with a prestigious win
Villarreal took away three big points from the Vicente Calderón stadium. The Yellows, solid in defence, withstood the locals’ onslaught, waiting to catch out Simeone’s well organized side on the counter. And they did just that. A goal by Roberto Soriano in the second half from a Bakambu assist was enough for the Yellows to come away with a prestigious victory. The Submarine remain firmly in fifth place in the LaLiga Santander table.
The two teams to have conceded the fewest goals in the LaLiga Santander were set to go head to head. It was a special match. Not just because of the importance of the points at stake, but also because it would be the last time the Submarine would play at the Vicente Calderón stadium, as Atlético will play at the Wanda Metropolitano next season. This fixture also coincides with Atlético Madrid’s 114th club anniversary.
Fran Escribá made four changes to the starting eleven (Rukavina, Samu Castillejo, Jonathan dos Santos and Adrián) that stepped out against Leganés in the previous league fixture at the Estadio de la Cerámica.
Villarreal struggled to create danger on Oblak’s goal. At the other end though, Andrés Fernández was put to the test on several occasions to keep the home side at bay in the first half. In the 11th minute, the Yellow number 13 made a double save to deny Correa and Saúl, and then after half an hour of play Andrés saved the Submarine again by keeping out a bullet of a shot by Griezmann.
In the second half the Andrés Fernández show continued, as he came out on top against Gaitán in a one on one just after the break.
Fran Escribá changed things up looking to put some fresh legs on up front. Roberto Soriano came on and Villarreal improved their attacking performance. With his first touch the Yellows number 20 tried his luck with a shot that was deflected out for a corner.
The Submarine started to knock the ball around better and Soriano came very close once again, with a great strike from the top of the box that was saved by Oblak (m. 74) and with a left footed shot after that after good combination play with Samu Castillejo (m. 77).
It was a warning. As with his fourth chance, Roberto Soriano made no mistake and buried the ball past Atlético’s Slovenian goalkeeper. It was in the 81st minute after a good run by Bakambu down the right wing. The French-Congolese striker put the ball into the middle of the box and Soriano got to it and scored.
From that moment on the Submarine were capable of holding on to their lead to take away a massively important win. Villarreal’s next match is against Real Sporting de Gijón this Friday at 8:45pm CET.
Atlético de Madrid: Oblak; Giménez, Godín, Savic, Filipe Luis; Gabi, Koke; Saúl, Nico Gaitán (Carrasco, m. 56 (Fernando Torres, m. 71)), Correa (Gameiro, m. 56); and Griezmann.
Villarreal CF: Andrés Fernández; Rukavina, Musacchio, Álvaro González, Jaume Costa; Samu Castillejo, Trigueros (Rodrigo, m. 84), Bruno, Jonathan dos Santos; Adrián (Soriano, m. 63) and Sansone (Bakambu, m. 75).
Goal: 0-1. Min. 81: Soriano.
Referee: Iglesias Villanueva (Galicia, Spain). Cautioned: Gabi for Atlético; Trigueros, Rukavina, Musacchio, Jaume Costa, Bakambu and Soldado for Villarreal.
Match Information: Match corresponding to Matchday 34 of the Liga Santander played at the Vicente Calderón stadium.
