Atletico Madrid get much-needed win over Real Betis to return to LaLiga top four

Atletico Madrid earned a much-needed 2-0 win at Actual Betis on Monday to climb to fourth in La Liga and reply to final week’s Champions League humiliation at Arsenal.

Diego Simeone’s aspect, thrashed 4-0 in North London, produced a composed efficiency at La Cartuja Stadium, the place Betis are enjoying briefly, to say their first away victory of the season.

It was additionally solely their second clear sheet in 9 matches throughout all competitions, an indication of renewed defensive self-discipline from a workforce that has seemed uncharacteristically fragile in latest weeks.

Giuliano Simeone, the coach’s son, opened the scoring early on with a crisp volley from the sting of the field – his first purpose of the marketing campaign.

Summer season signing Alex Baena doubled the lead earlier than half-time, bending in a tremendous effort to register his first for the membership and cap a dominant first-half show.

Goalkeeper Jan Oblak praised his teammates’ resilience afterwards. “It was an vital win, hard-fought,” he instructed Movistar. “We’ve struggled away from residence, so I hope it is a turning level.”

Betis improved after the break and got here closest when Abde Ezzalzouli struck the crossbar from a free-kick, however Atletico’s again line, marshalled by José María Giménez and Danilo, held agency.

The victory leaves Atletico eight factors behind leaders Actual Madrid, the one workforce they’ve overwhelmed to this point this season. Giuliano Simeone devoted his purpose celebration to his new child nephew Faustino – Diego Simeone’s first grandchild.

“Nothing modifications for me,” the Atletico boss joked after the match, whereas congratulating his son on his efficiency.

Manuel Pellegrini’s Betis stay sixth, three factors adrift of Atletico. “We lacked sharpness within the last third,” admitted Giovani Lo Celso. “However we labored onerous, and the followers have been with us all the way in which.”