Atletico Madrid and Villarreal delivered a captivating start to the La Liga season with a high-octane 2-2 draw in their opener on Monday. The match, ignited by four goals in the first half, kept fans on the edge of their seats as both teams demonstrated their offensive capabilities.
Atletico Madrid entered the game missing key players Stefan Savic, Mario Hermoso, Memphis Depay, and Álvaro Morata, yet they showed resilience. The home side took the lead early on when Arnaut Danjuma capitalized on a tight angle shot just 18 minutes into the match. Demonstrating their fighting spirit, Atletico responded swiftly as Marcos Llorente equalized two minutes later with a powerful strike that left Villarreal's defense scrambling.
The first half concluded dramatically when a goalkeeping lapse by Jan Oblak led to an own goal by Koke, giving Villarreal the advantage once again. However, the Austrian striker Alexander Sorloth, recently signed from Villarreal, turned the tide by slotting home a crucial equalizer in the first-half stoppage time, ensuring Atletico finished the break level.
In an attempt to take control in the second half, Atletico introduced four Argentine players, including Julian Alvarez from Manchester City, aiming to infuse fresh energy into their attack. Despite these changes, neither team could secure the win, and the match ended in a spirited 2-2 stalemate.
Off the pitch, Atletico Madrid fans were left wondering about Joao Felix's absence from the squad, amid swirling rumors of a possible move to Chelsea. As the season unfolds, both teams look to build on this electrifying start, setting the stage for an exciting La Liga campaign ahead.
Reference(s):
Atletico Madrid fail to beat Villarreal in four-goal La Liga opener
cgtn.com
