Akin Ayomide
Atletico Madrid earned a solid 2-0 win at Real Betis on Monday to move fourth in La Liga and bounce back from their Champions League thrashing by Arsenal.
Diego Simeone’s side lost 4-0 last week in north London but put that defeat behind them with a strong display at La Cartuja stadium, where Betis are playing on a temporary basis. They were able to record only their second clean sheet in their last nine games across all competitions and their first away win of the season.
The coach’s son Giuliano Simeone opened the scoring with Alex Baena netting the second before half-time.
“This is an important win, hard-fought, and I’m happy,” Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak told Movistar.
“I hope we continue like this, away from home, not just at home… it was a great game from the whole team and a big effort.”
Giuliano Simeone fired the visitors ahead in the opening stages with a neat volley from the edge of the box.
Star summer signing Baena curled home his first goal for the club before half-time to double the Rojiblancos’ lead.
Real Betis were the better team in the second half and hit the crossbar from Abde Ezzalzouli’s free-kick, but Atletico’s defense held firm.
Atletico trail La Liga leaders Real Madrid by eight points, although they are the only team to inflict defeat on their city rivals.
“Our first win on the road and we’re very happy for the great work the team did,” said Giuliano Simone, who dedicated the goal to his recently-born nephew Faustino in his celebration, making the letter F with his fingers.
Faustino’s birth made Atletico coach Diego Simeone a grandfather.
“Nothing changes for me,” said the Rojiblancos boss, smiling, while also congratulating his son on his good performance.
Manuel Pellegrini’s Real Betis, sixth, are now three points behind Atletico.
“Today we were lacking in the final third, we had to be a little sharper in front of goal,” Betis playmaker Giovani Lo Celso told Movistar.