SEVILLE, Spain: Atletico Madrid earned a solid 2-0 win at Real Betis on Monday to move fourth in La Liga and bounce back from their Champions League thrashing by Arsenal.
Diego Simeone’s side lost 4-0 last week in north London but put that defeat behind them with a strong display at La Cartuja stadium, where Betis are playing on a temporary basis.
They were able to record only their second clean sheet in their last nine games across all competitions and their first away win of the season.
The coach’s son Giuliano Simeone opened the scoring with Alex Baena netting the second before half-time.
“This is an important win, hard-fought, and I’m happy,” Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak told Movistar.
“I hope we continue like this, away from home, not just at home... it was a great game from the whole team and a big effort.”
Giuliano Simeone fired the visitors ahead in the opening stages with a neat volley from the edge of the box.
Star summer signing Baena curled home his first goal for the club before half-time to double the Rojiblancos’ lead.
Real Betis were the better team in the second half and hit the crossbar from Abde Ezzalzouli’s free-kick, but Atletico’s defense held firm.
Atletico trail La Liga leaders Real Madrid by eight points, although they are the only team to inflict defeat on their city rivals.
“Our first win on the road and we’re very happy for the great work the team did,” said Giuliano Simone, who dedicated the goal to his recently-born nephew Faustino in his celebration, making the letter F with his fingers.
Faustino’s birth made Atletico coach Diego Simeone a grandfather.
“Nothing changes for me,” said the Rojiblancos boss, smiling, while also congratulating his son on his good performance.
Manuel Pellegrini’s Real Betis, sixth, are now three points behind Atletico.
“Today we were lacking in the final third, we had to be a little sharper in front of goal,” Betis playmaker Giovani Lo Celso told Movistar.
“The team worked hard and tried until the end, for the fans who filled the stadium on a rainy Monday and didn’t stop backing us. We have to turn the page and continue.”
Atletico win at Betis to bounce back from Arsenal drubbing
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Atletico win at Betis to bounce back from Arsenal drubbing
- Manuel Pellegrini’s Real Betis, sixth, are now three points behind Atletico
Forever Young to defend Saudi Cup crown from stall 6
- Trainer Yoshito Yahagi happy with position for 2025 hero at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Saturday
RIYADH: Forever Young (JPN) will emerge from gate six when bidding to defend his group one $20-million Saudi Cup crown at King Abdulaziz Racecourse on Saturday.
The reigning champion was the penultimate horse to be given a barrier and only five or six remained when Japanese trainer Yoshito Yahagi picked out the starting berth.
“I think six is a good number,” Yahagi said. “We don’t have to change anything with tactics. Honestly, I feel a lot of pressure on my shoulders bringing a defending champion but Forever Young doesn’t feel any pressure at all.”
American Hall of Famer Bob Baffert is in Riyadh and Flavien Prat will guide Nysos (US) from gate 12, while Irad Ortiz Jr. and Nevada Beach (US) have drawn gate seven.
“I’d rather be on the outside than the inside,” Baffert said after drawing the wide gate for Nysos.
“As long as the horse shows up that is more important. I think he is a really good horse and has always shown brilliance, he’s a trier and knows where the wire is. From the outside he will have a clear run.”
“Gate seven is good for Nevada Beach too. We just didn’t want to be in the one-hole,” Baffert added.
Last year’s fifth-place finisher Rattle N Roll (US) raced from seven on that occasion but this time around Joel Rosario will steer Kenny McPeek’s 6-year-old from stall 11.
Kyoko Maekawa drew stall one for Sunrise Zipangu (JPN) who will be ridden by Oisin Murphy. The Japan Racing Association’s first female trainer was Yahagi’s assistant in Saudi Arabia when Panthalassa (JPN) won The Saudi Cup from stall one in 2023.
Noriyuki Hori’s Luxor Cafe (US) has a wider starting point in barrier 10.
Leading local contender Mhally (GB) will break from stall 13. “We are very happy with that draw, we wanted something on the outside,” said Sheikh Faisal Al-Sabah, son of owner Sheikh Abdullah Homoud Almalek Al-Sabah.
“Hopefully he proves himself on Saturday.”
Banishing (US) was described as a horse with “a heart of gold” by trainer David Jacobson’s son, Zachary, and the American raider will break from stall three, while the Brad Cox-trained Bishops Bay (US) will come from nine.
The Saad Aljenade-trained Star Of Wonder (US) will start from the same stall five that Emblem Road (US) won the race, while his stable companion Haqeet (US) is inside that in box two under Mickael Barzalona.
Ryan Moore is a notable jockey booking for the Sami Alharabi-trained Ameerat Alzamaan (GB) who breaks from four.
Thundersquall (GB) will start from the widest draw of all in 14 for trainer Muteb Almulawah and jockey Danny Tudhope, while Tumbarumba (US) and James Doyle will begin the richest race in the world from eight for Hamad Al-Jehani and Wathnan Racing.
