Valencia & Atletico were cautious for most of the match for different reasons. The home side is still adapting to new Coach Pizzi & did not wish to allow Atletico the opportunity to actually resolve the tie tonight with excessive goals & concentrated on disciplined tactical & positioning issues. Atletico de Madrid had on the other hand half a mind on the Saturday Liga match against FC Barcelona & the other half on the return leg Spanish Cup match to resolve the tie with the ground advantage. Very even in the first half with Valencia CF controlling affairs but not being effective upfront.
The second half saw Valencia push up a gear & created dangerous opportunities making Atletico goalie Courtois work hard ( 2 - 3 goal savers ) along with his defenders. Atletico Coach put on Arda Turan to give the team some creative spirits & some flow & it worked as Atletico began putting Valencia on the back-foot. The goal for Atletico came in the 72nd min after a terrible mistake from Valencia goalie Guaita allowed Raul Garcia to head in the ball. From here it was rush, nerves & desperation for Valencia which looked to at least equalize the game. The Atletico de Madrid defence & goalie Courtois did some good work to stop the home side many advances but in the last moment Valencia pulled from heroics & equalized in the 93rd min via Postinga. Massive relief for Valencia & Atletico will be upset with the last moment lapse.
Tomorrow 4 Copa del Rey games scheduled ( including FC Barcelona participation ).
Tweet
No comments:
Post a Comment