Sadiq avoids another good loot for Atlético

Sadiq avoids another good loot for Atlético

A goal from the Nigerian debutant gives Real Sociedad a draw (1-1) against a rival who once again lacked control of the match

MADRID, 3 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Real Sociedad and Atlético de Madrid signed a draw this Saturday (1-1) at the Reale Arena after a match where the locals dominated more and quickly learned the success of the replacement chosen to replace Alexander Isak, an Umar Sadiq who equaled the early both from Álvaro Morata and prevented Diego Pablo Simeone's men from taking another good loot at home.

The mattress set once again left a somewhat gray image, especially in terms of control of the game and offensive play, but, as it did last Monday in Mestalla, it was effective and had few, but good, chances to have achieved a jackpot for not falling behind the leader Real Madrid by five points. Imanol Alguacil's men put a lot of momentum and were superior for many minutes, although in the end they suffered to scratch the point.

Atlético knew how to come out on top in the first 45 minutes of their rival's best game and a noisy and tense atmosphere, especially in the final stretch. Morata's early goal did not hurt at all to strengthen his confidence, attentive in a corner kick generated after a first warning that Joao Felix did not know how to complete.

But Atlético could not give him continuity and it was the San Sebastian team that took command, supported by their good pressure and the speed of an animated Ali Cho, the novelty of Imanol Alguacil in the eleven along with that of the Norwegian Sorloth, chosen to the detriment of newcomer Sadiq.

The visitors could not shake the realistic dominance, but did not lose their advantage despite the continuous arrivals of their rival, who brushed the tie with a shot at the post by Merino. David Silva also had his own with a shot that was too weak in a good position and the best was, from further away, Brais Méndez, well repelled by Oblak.

Simeone's men couldn't go out even on the counterattack with ease, but every time they looked into Remiro's area, they scared. In fact, Morata did not forgive another lost ball in the area to make it 2-0, finally annulled by the VAR due to Joao Felix's prior handball.

That break for Soto Grado to consult the monitor was good for the colchoneros who, although they saw their advantage lost, were able to better control the clash and Giménez then brushed the 0-2 score on two occasions, with a header and with a tremendous shot that he masterfully deflected Remiro. The final minutes were for the locals and very tense, with cards and anger from the stands at what they considered the second yellow cards for Saúl and De Paul.

Sheriff did not wait much longer and for the second half he decided to start his new signing in search of more offensive power and a better partner for Ali Cho. Simeone preferred more 'armor' with the entry of Kondogbia for the reprimanded Saúl and delaying Carrasco as a lane. It went better for the Guipuzcoan because the Nigerian equalized after a few minutes after a good shipment from Ali Cho, although this time the VAR did not enter due to the impact of the hand.

La Real continued to insist, but colliding with the visiting defense. Atlético endured hoping that the passing of the minutes would give them more air and space, although 'Cholo' was ambitious putting Griezmann in his favorite 'minute' (63) for De Paul, although it did not have the same effect as against Valencia .

The final stretch was somewhat more balanced because the 'txuri-urdines' were losing steam, due to wear and tear and because the changes did not bear fruit. The Madrid team handled it well and only had the scare of Oblak's injury after a clash with Reinildo in a disallowed goal against Sadiq, and they were also the closest to the winning goal. Correa was unable to define a great pass from Joao Felix and the Portuguese, in the 98th minute, forced Remiro to put in a good hand, with Zubimendi covering Koke's subsequent shot.

--RESULT: REAL SOCIEDAD, 1 - ATLÉTICO DE MADRID, 1 (0-1, at halftime).

REAL SOCIEDAD: Remiro; Gorosabel (Sola, min.83), Zubeldia (Elustondo, min.71), Le Normand, Aihen Muñoz; Silva, Zubimendi, Merino, Silva (Barrenetxea, min.71), Brais Méndez; Ali Cho (Kubo, min.71) and Sorloth (Sadiq, min.46).

ATLÉTICO DE MADRID: Oblak (Grbic, min.84); Llorente, Giménez, Witsel, Reinildo, Saúl (Kondogbia, min.46); Koke, De Paul (Griezmann, min. 63), Carrasco (Hermoso, min. 78); Joao Félix and Morata (Correa, min.79).

0-1, minute 5. Morata.

1-1, minute 55. Sadiq.

--REFEREE: Soto Grado (C.Riojano). He admonished Zubimendi (min.28), Cho (min.35), Zubeldia (min.57), Gorosabel (min.72) and Merino (min.97), for Real Sociedad, and Saúl (min.13), De Paul (min.24), Llorente (min.35), Simeone (min.45 1), Morata (min.61), for Atlético.

--STADIUM: Reale Arena.