Atlético fought-out a draw in Vallecas, but could have won because they were better in the second half. Saúl equalized Nacho’s opener and Vietto hit the woodwork with a shoot that could made the 1-2. Next Thursday, the Calderón will decide the King’s Cup 1/16 to final tie.

Diego Pablo Simeone made the new red and white players, Kranevitter and Augusto Fernández, debut in Vallecas, in a game in which the ball seemed to have a life of its own, being very bouncy. And the one who managed to score first was Nacho, with a very strong low shot against which Moyá could do nothing. That goal made the game have an intensity in the boxes that it had not had before. Juan Carlos saved a shot from Carrasco and, afterwards, Giménez sent it out with a header. And, near the end of the first half, Moyá saved a header by Llorente from the corner.

In the second half, Atlético de Madrid went for the win. The early substitutions of Saúl and Vietto gave air to the team and little by little the goal kept getting closer. And very soon, in a play between the two players, the equalizing goal arrived. Vietto dribbled Quini and left a golden ball inside the box that Saúl used to tie the match. And, in 80’, Vietto crashed a ball on the post. A result that leaves everything open for the second leg. The Calderón will have the last word regarding the pass to the quarterfinals of the King’s Cup.

- Match stats:

Rayo Vallecano: Juan Carlos; Zhang (Quini, 65’), Tito, Dorado, Nacho; Llorente, Jozabed; Pablo Hernández, Miku (Jonathan Montiel, 75’), Bebé (Embarba, 80’); and Manucho.

Atlético de Madrid: Moyá; Gámez, Giménez, Savic, Siqueira; Kranevitter, Augusto Fernández (Vietto, 56’), Thomas; Carrasco, Fernando Torres (Jackson Martínez, 76’) and Óliver Torres (Saúl, 56’).

Referee: Jaime Latre (Committee from Aragón). Booked the home players Miku (23’) and Dorado (79’); and the visiting Siqueira (19’), Fernando Torres (29’), Saúl (72’) and Thomas (90’).

Goals:

1-0 (35’) Nacho, from outside the box, surprises Moyá with a low shot, close to the left post.
1-1 (66’) Saúl makes a low shot from inside the box to a cross by Vietto from the right.

- Match report by clubatleticodemadrid.com