Betis: Adán (Dani Giménez 63’); Piccini, Bruno, Westermann, Varela; Cejudo, Digard, N’Diaye, Xavi Torres (Dani Ceballos 46‘), Joaquín (Jorge Molina 77‘); Rubén Castro. 4-5-1.
Atlético: Oblak; Jesús Gámez, Savic, Godín, Filipe Luis; Gabi, Tiago; Carrasco (Oliver Torres 77‘), Griezmann, Koke (Saúl Ñíguez 82’); Fernando Torres (Vietto 71’). 4-2-3-1.
Goals:
0-1. 07. Koke. Drove ball back into net after Adán saved shot by Fernando Torres.
Yellow cards: Filipe Luis 09’, Tiago 27’, Jesús Gámez 38’, Bruno 53’, Gabi 77’.
Atlético Madrid moved up to second spot, two points above city rivals Real Madrid, after a 0-1 victory over Betis in the last game on Sunday night. With Jackson Martínez injured, Fernando Torres led the attack, and with seven minutes gone Adán could only push out an angled shot from “El Niño”, and Koke was in hand to drive in the rebound. Simeone’s side dominated after that, Koke, Griezmann and Carrasco all failing to convert chances before the break, although N’Diaye fired a long effort over the top at the other end, and Oblak had to be at his best to tip a shot from Cejudo over the bar with just under an hour on the clock. Soon afterwards Adán had to be replaced by Dani Giménez after he injured himself in a crunching collision with Godín, the defender carrying on and almost heading a second despite a deep gash to his forehead. Griezmann fired a shot just over and then had a serious penalty appeal turned down, and with Betis down to ten men after Digard limped off with all three changes made, the French striker struck another shot against the upright. It didn’t matter in the end though, and Atleti are above the old enemy after another tight defensive performance.