Atlético Madrid – Real Betis: An Ángel Comes to Atlético Madrid’s Rescue (1-0)

It was a tense match between two defensively sound sides; Atlético Madrid’s solid defensive structure kept Real Betis at bay, whilst the away side’s desperate last-ditch defending was nearly enough to keep the hosts off of the scoresheet. It was a late goal from substitute Ángel Correa that gave Atlético Madrid the three points, keeping Real Betis out of LaLiga’s top four for another week. 

Tactical analysis and match report by Charlie Tuley

It is arguable that Atlético Madrid have been the best team in LaLiga over the course of the second half of the season, with the team’s early exits from the Champions League and Copa del Rey being a blessing in disguise. Diego Simeone has his team firing on all cylinders, with Atlético Madrid back to their best on both sides of the ball. They are unbeaten in their last ten LaLiga matches, and they are just widening that gap between themselves and the sides battling for fourth place and that final Champions League spot. 

Simeone was without Memphis Depay, Sergio Reguilón, and Reinildo Mandava (all due to injury) for the game against Real Betis. After their three consecutive wins in the system, Simeone elected to continue with his five at the back formation, with Nahuel Molina, Stefan Savić, José María Giménez, Mario Hermoso, and Yannick Carrasco lining up ahead of Jan Oblak. Marcos Llorente, Koke, and Thomas Lemar made up the midfield trio, with Alvaro Morata partnering the in-form Antoine Griezmann in attack. 

Like Atlético Madrid, Real Betis have been in great form in LaLiga recently. Despite losing . . .