A great direct free-kick goal from Dani Parejo in the final stretch caused another frustration this season for Atletico Madrid, who were better than their opponent when they went for the game, worse when they retracted with an advantage in the score after Diego Costa's goal and tied when they played with ten men due to Joao Felix's ankle injury.
A draw that multiplies the doubts of the red and white team, winners of only one of their last six matches in LaLiga, while accumulating almost constant draws, and reinforces Valencia even more, who struggled in the first half, but improved in the second half and remains unbeaten in their last five league matches.
And it generates even more debate about Atletico's style. Because the design of the squad draws in the minds of many other perspectives and possibilities, perhaps, but above all because the results are far from what is expected. Four victories in nine matchdays feel like very little. Almost nothing. A disappointment.
It is the historical demand, interrupted by some lapses, that Atletico needs, before, during, and after Diego Simeone. "Win, win, and win again". In those circumstances, there is no more irrefutable argument for a style, whatever it may be, than victory. Even the best football cannot sustain defeat. It is the "results-oriented" approach with which the game invariably coexists today.
(With information from EFE)
PREVIEW
Atlético Madrid vs. Valencia will face each other on Saturday, October 19, at the Wanda Metropolitano. The match is scheduled for 9:00 AM (Peruvian time). The broadcast will be handled by ESPN in South America. In Mexico, it can be watched on Sky Sports. In the United States, it can be watched on beIN SPORTS. All the details of the match can be found on the RPP.pe website.
After eight matchdays of LaLiga, Atletico Madrid anxiously awaits goals from Diego Costa and Álvaro Morata, who will be the focus this Saturday at the Wanda Metropolitano against Valencia, without Rodrigo Moreno or Gonçalo Guedes, who have won their last two matches and face a tough test of their ambition.
Diego Costa, in his worst start in 12 years, has scored one goal and Morata has one goal this season; too little for two undisputed players in the team and this Saturday's starting eleven, where two teams that are in different moments will face each other - Atletico Madrid has only won one of their last five matches, while Valencia has won their last two matches -, but with a constant in this start of the league: inconsistency.
Three points behind the leader Real Madrid and pressured by a dynamic of only two wins in their last seven official matches (one win in five matches in LaLiga, with three 0-0 draws included), the red and white team has accumulated 15 out of 24 points, while asking for time to adapt the eight players that were replaced in the summer and perfect their attack.
In contrast, Valencia has scored and conceded the same number of goals, 12, in the first eight matchdays. They are currently eighth with twelve points, obtained through three wins, two in the last two league matches, and two draws. They haven't lost in the league since September 14, when they were beaten 5-2 by Barcelona.
They are the sixth highest scorers in LaLiga, still without a goal from Rodrigo, but with Uruguayan Maxi Gomez and Dani Parejo, with four goals each out of the team's 12, as undisputed protagonists in that aspect. Gomez has scored three goals in the last three matches. At the same time, Valencia is the fourth team that has conceded the most goals in LaLiga.
Atlético Madrid vs. Valencia: Probable lineups.
Atlético Madrid: Oblak; Arias, Giménez, Felipe, Lodi; Koke, Thomas, Saúl, Joao Félix; Morata and Diego Costa.
Valencia: Cillessen; Wass, Garay, Paulista, Jaume Costa, Ferran Torres, Coquelin, Parejo, Cheryshev or Kondogbia, Maxi Gómez and Gameiro or Cheryshev.
Stadium: Wanda Metropolitano.