Yannick Carrasco and Angel Correa were the bright spots even as Atletico Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw by Real Betis in La Liga on Sunday night.
It took Atletico Madrid just four minutes to get off the mark at Estadio Benito Villamarin as Yannick Carrasco calmly slotted the ball into the back of the net after some neat play by Joao Felix and Angel Correa. However, the lead lasted just 15 minutes though as Real Betis hit back in the 20th-minute mark through a fine volley by Cristian Tello.
Both teams had a few half-chances to add to the tally heading into the break but a goal was not forthcoming. The same continued in the second half although both goalkeepers were called into action quite a bit with Jan Oblak denying Emerson and Diego Lainez while Claudio Bravo kept out Correa twice in the dying stages of the game as both teams ended up sharing the spoils.
The result sees Atletico Madrid reclaim top spot in the La Liga table from neighbours Real Madrid but they will be disappointed not to have picked up all three points. Here’s how we rated the performances of Diego Simeone’s men at the Benito Villamarin on Sunday night.
Jan Oblak: 6.5/10
Not a lot to do in the first half apart from picking up the ball from net after Tello had scored. Needed to be alert to a couple of efforts in the second period as he made a straightforward save to keep Emerson out before denying Lainez with a fine stop.
Stefan Savic: 6/10
Solid in defence for large parts, the 30-year-old made three tackles along with a couple of interceptions and a tackle. However, he looked to play it safe when on the ball but still misplaced 10 of his 49 attempted passes.
Jose Maria Gimenez: 7/10
Much like Savic, Gimenez was rock-solid at the back all game, with a brilliant block to deny Aitor Rubal in the second period being a standout moment. Progressive when in possession, Gimenez played one key pass.
Josema Giménez was left desolated as Atlético Madrid drew 1-1 with Real Betis today. The central defender produced a fantastic display.
Atléti are still top of La Liga, but are leaving a trail for Barcelona and Real Madrid. pic.twitter.com/QZlmcHkDue
— Warriors of Uruguay (@UruguayHeroes) April 11, 2021
Mario Hermoso: 6/10
A good cross in the first half which was met by Saul Niguez. Showed good intent on the ball, but was not able to hit more such dangerous crosses for the rest of the game. Made way for Renan Lodi, who was not able to fare much better.
Kieran Trippier: 6/10
As usual, provided a good outlet out wide on the right, but was not able to whip in the crosses into the box like he does regularly. Sound defensively, as he made a game-high three interceptions along with a couple of tackles. But, he had to come off with an injury late in the game.
Saul Niguez: 5/10
Had an effort saved in the first half after getting on the end of Hermoso’s cross. That was as good as it got for the Spaniard who did make a few tackles but offered little quality on the ball as he completed just 74% of his passes and failed to create a single chance.
The top three in LaLiga are separated by two points:
67 – Atlético Madrid
66 – Real Madrid
65 – BarcelonaEight games remaining. ? pic.twitter.com/rCpWvCq1ja
— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) April 11, 2021
Hector Herrera: 6/10
A rare start owing to the absence of Marcos Llorente, the Mexican midfielder showed bite in the middle, attempting a game-high six tackles (3 completed). Kept things ticking along nicely when on the ball as well.
Koke: 6/10
Sat in front of the defence, broke up play and initiated attacks by spraying passes out into the wide areas for the wing-backs to chase. Did not have the creative edge that was needed to take his team over the line, however.
Yannick Carrasco: 7.5/10
? | Yannick Carrasco ??
Only scorer tonight for Atletico ?#RealBetisAtleti (1:1) pic.twitter.com/kk1rP4Flao
— Diables Rouges ???⚽️ (@BelgianPlayers) April 11, 2021
Got Atletico Madrid up and running with a composed finish within five minutes after kick-off. Continued to pose a threat each time he ran at the opposition defence. Got into good positions consistently, hit the side netting from one such situation and also managed to create a couple of chances for his teammates.
Angel Correa: 7.5/10
Lively from the get-go, the 26-year-old linked up nicely with Felix before setting Carrasco up for the opener. Constantly put the home team under pressure with his intensity. Thought he had won it for Atletico in stoppage time but was twice denied by the brilliant Claudio Bravo.
Angel Correa will be having absolute nightmares about Claudio Bravo #BetisAtleti
— Hardcore Football (@HxCFootball) April 11, 2021
Joao Felix: 6/10
Getting the nod in attack in the absence of Luis Suarez, the Portuguese was involved in a neat exchange with Correa in the build-up to the opening goal. Made one key pass but picked up an injury towards the end of the first period and had to be withdrawn just three minutes after the restart.
SUBSTITUTES
Lucas Torreira: 5/10
Sent on in place of the injured Felix early in the second half. Shored up the defensive side of things but did not offer much going forward.
Renan Lodi: 5/10
Came on for Hermoso in the 63rd minute. Provided an attacking outlet down the left flank but couldn’t create any meaningful opportunity.
Vitolo: 6/10
On for Herrera in the 64th minute. Looked lively and played in Correa for a late chance. Should have hit the target with his volleyed effort soon after.
Sime Vrsaljko: N/A
Replaced the injured Trippier with a little over ten minutes left.
