SAN FRANCISCO, November 28, (THEWILL) – It was an unfortunate La Liga game for Spanish left-back Toni Lato as his own goal 11 minutes from time gave visitors Atletico Madrid a hard-fought 1-0 win at Valencia’s Estadio de Mestalla on Saturday.
Diego Simeone’s men dominated throughout but found it an uphill battle to create opportunities in the second half after Jaume Domenech had stood tall in the Valencia goal despite everything Atleti threw at him prior to the break.
Coming from a goalless UEFA Champions League draw against Lokomotiv Moscow at home, the visitors appeared set to suffer further frustration.
Superb saves from the goalkeepers at both ends were the best highlights of the first half. Valencia captain Domenech punched the air in self-affirmation and delight after getting down sharply to his right at a stretch to repel left midfielder Thomas Lemar’s deflected 13th-minute drive.
Domenech’s opposite number Jan Oblak, in what was his 200th La Liga appearance, had to be alert to touch midfielder Uros Racic’s awkward half-volley onto the post. Domenech was again tested by Lemar and the keeper parried the precise effort away from the same corner as the earlier attempt.
Atleti dominated in the second half, taking more than 70 per cent of the possession until late in proceedings while facing only a single shot, though they scarcely threatened and needed a lucky chance to take all three points.
In the 79th minute, midfielder Yannick Carrasco advanced down Atleti’s left and sent in a low ball that evaded Domenech, as well as two tussling players from either side, catching Lato unawares as the ball skipped up off his leg and went in. Though four extra minutes were added after regulation time, no other goals were scored.
Midweek brings a return to Champions League action as Atletico host Bayern. Valencia do not play again until a week on Monday against Eibar.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
