Atletico of Madrid completed a good match against Villarreal (3-1) and tasted a triumph after three matches without knowing the meaning of victory. In spite of the bulky scoreboard Javier Aguirre’s players had to work hard to overcome the initial goal of Villarreal. The goals of Ze Castro, Fernando Torres –from the penalty point-, and Agüero were the award for the red and white team, that exhibited order, good manners and, above all, goals.

Aguirre’s players jumped into the field with clear ideas, building with criterion from the midfield and with a clear reference in the forward line with his two strikes, Fernando Torres and ‘Kun’ Agüero. Everything was working perfect and didn’t take long for the first occasions: Torres headed a foul kick by Galletti and Maniche tried to surprise Barbosa far away with a shot from outside the area, but was Fuentes who achieved to put forward Villarreal at 13’ after a pass by Roman Riquelme.

The goal didn’t demoralize the red and white team; they knew how to keep the intensity and the concentration of the first fifteen minutes. Agüero could’ve equalized the score with a header from the small area that Barbosa intercepted. Few minutes later the turn was for Torres who, after leaving two rivals, entered inside the area and made a lob shot which the goalkeeper blocked in extremis. Finally, and after two chances of danger made by Agüero and Galleti, was Ze Castro who signed the tie heading a foul kick by Pernia.

At 36’ it was still a lot of match to fight for the victory although Atletico could’ve achieved to get to half-time with advantage in the scoreboard. In this occasion was Fernando Torres who entered in the area after getting away from two defenses, but Cygan knocked him clearly down and the referee didn’t doubt to point out the punishment place Torres, damaged for the hard action, assumed the responsibility of the shot and didn’t forgive: he lied to the goalkeeper and scored with a low shot close to the right post.

At the beginning of the second half the captain had to leave the field because of an injury at the internal side of the leg and right knee with multiple wounds, all of this because of the hit he suffered in the penalty action. Jurado occupied his place, after leaving the field under a great ovation of his fans. Atletico continued with their offensive recital and, Jurado and Agüero assumed the responsibility of the team until they achieved to score the third goal. The Andalusian player saw Agüero in the area and the Argentinean player beat Barbosa with a bomb shot.

With 3-1 at the scoreboard, Villarreal hardly had options to overcome the game, a mission that got more difficulties due to Jose Mari’s sending off. From that moment to the end, Atletico didn’t leave the possession of the ball and didn’t lose sight of Barbosa’s goal, who also saw how Pernia tried to put the fourth one in the scoreboard by a foul kick. Finally the red and white team signed a good triumph after three matches without knowing the meaning of victory.


Technical data:

Atletico of Madrid: Leo Franco; Seitaridis, Perea, Ze Castro, Pernia; Luccin, Maniche (Gabi, 89’), Galletti, Antonio Lopez; ‘Kun’ Aguero (Costinha, 85’) and Fernando Torres (Jurado, 48’).

Villarreal: Barbosa, Javi Venta, Fuentes, Cygan, Arruabarrena (Josemi, 46’); Somoza (Josico, 69’), Marcos Senna, Cani (Jose Mari, 61’), Riquelme; Nihat and Forlan.

Referee: Perez Burrull. Showed yellow card to Atletico players Luccin (19’), Pernia (29’), Aguero (34’); and to Cani (45’) and Nihat (65’) of Villarreal. Showed red card to José Mari (72’).

Goals:

0-1 (12’) Fuentes headed easily a foul kick by Riquelme.

1-1 (35’) Zé Castro comb the ball after a foul kicked by Pernía.

2-1 (45’) Fernando Torres scores with a low and close to the right post shot from the penalty point.

3-1 (63’) Aguero scores by a lob a pass of Jurado.


Foto: www.clubatleticodemadrid.com