Red-and-whites was the team that most tried to win but the game of Villarreal, confined in their field, made it hard to have chances to break the deadlock. The match between Atlético and Villarreal was marked by the tremendous respect between both teams. Locals were the ones to propose more against a conforming team which saw little of Oblak. In the first half, only a header from Griezmann could have opened the scoreboard but his shot shortly missed Areola’s right post.

After the break, Villarreal was more blatant, guarding its goal and closing possible spaces so there were no chances to score. And the team of Marcelino García Toral achieved it because there was no option to win. And it wasn’t for lack of trying but Torres was near to connect a cross from Koke and Vietto found the side of the net in his shot. Now Red-and-whites turn attentions to next Wednesday’s Champions match against PSV Eindhoven.


- Match stats:

Atlético de Madrid: Oblak; Juanfran, Savic, Godín, Filipe Luis; Koke, Gabi, Saúl (Kranevitter, 80’); Correa (Vietto, 68’), Griezmann (Óliver Torres, 62’) and Fernando Torres.

Villarreal: Areola; Mario, Bonera, Víctor Ruiz, Bailly; Rukavina, Pina, Bruno, Samu Castillejo (Denis Suárez, 67’); Bakambu (Leo Baptistao, 82’) and Soldado (Adrián, 63’).

Referee: Prieto Iglesias (Committee from Navarra). Booked the home players Gabi (68’) and Filipe Luis (73’); and the visiting Samu Castillejo (62’) and Bailly (76’).

Goals: No goals

- Match report byclubatleticodemadrid.com