Atletico Madrid’s trip to the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan could prove to be a turning point in the context of the title race in LaLiga Santander this season.
Diego Simeone‘s side failed against Sevilla, going down to a deserved defeat thanks to Marcos Acuna‘s second-half winner.
The visit to Seville also cost them two of their key players, Luis Suarez and Marcos Llorente, who will miss next weekend’s return to the city to play Real Betis because of suspension.
Atletico‘s players had something to argue about for Acuna‘s winning goal. In the moments before it, Lucas Ocampos seemed to have blocked Kieran Trippier‘s pass with his arm. Upon review, VAR and Jesus Gil Manzano either decided that it wasn’t handball or that it had come too early in the move to warrant the goal being disallowed.
Both goalkeepers on show in Nervion were standout performers. In the first half, Jan Oblak repeated his party piece against Alaves by saving Ocampos‘ penalty. In the second half, Bono made himself big to block Angel Correa‘s golden opportunity to equalise.
Despite his penalty miss, Ocampos should be commended for his display on Sunday. After his injury lay-off, he looks sharp and energetic, giving Felipe all sorts of problems at the Sanchez Pizjuan.
Sevilla‘s winner was delivered by Jesus Navas, who provided the cross that Acuna headed in. The 35-year-old continues to defy his age, getting up and down the right flank as if he was 20 years old again. Surely he’s in Luis Enrique‘s plans for the summer. Navas‘ side are now eight points off top spot and he’ll look to lead them to as many wins as possible over the final nine rounds.
