Atlético’s reliable unreliability leads to disappointment in rematch with Betis

It was anything but home sweet home for Atlético de Madrid on Sunday night as they were outclassed by Real Betis, who had revenge on their minds from last Thursday’s thrashing in Seville. Betis defended well, were ruthless on the counterattack and put in a far better effort relative to the Copa del Rey. Atleti were poor in defense and lacked composure — as well as quality — on the ball.

Antony’s brilliant strike from outside the box was enough for Betis to upend Atleti at home and snap the Rojiblancos’ 11-month unbeaten run in the Metropolitano. It’s the Verdiblancos’ first victory over Atleti in the Spanish capital for over 14 years, but it didn’t come without controversy: a VAR-initiated offside call annulled the equalizing own goal off Diego Llorente’s head.

Regardless, the result is more than fair. Let’s jump into some takeaways.

Big problems laid bare

Throughout this season, one of Atlético’s main problems has been their dependence on a few players to swing a result. The players have differed, but in attack it has been Alexander Sørloth lately (until his head injury). In midfield, it’s been Pablo Barrios. In defense, it’s been Marc Pubill.

Barrios picked up a right leg injury on Thursday, while Marc Pubill picked up an illness just before Sunday’s match and Sørloth only played the second half. It’s not shocking then that Atleti struggled to do anything of note. The team that looked so calm, composed and fluid in attack on Thursday must have been from an EAFC 26 simulation..

At this point in the season, 34-year-old Antoine Griezmann is the player with the most quality in the squad. I mean this with all due respect, but that is a big problem.

It is a big problem when Julián Alvarez gets subbed off at halftime, as the Argentine extended his goalless drought to 12 matches in LaLiga. What do you do with him? There’s four months to go until the season is over and we break for the World Cup, so a lot can happen in between now and then.

It is a big problem when, in defense, Atleti have to rely on the partnership of Josema Giménez and Robin Le Normand. Neither player is in form or has been for a while. Atleti’s buildup play is disjointed and disorganized when these two are in defense. There can’t be this steep of a drop off from Pubill and Dávid Hancko to Giménez and Le Normand.

It is a big problem that Cholo Simeone has to turn to 34-year-old Koke and two players who have been at the club for less than two weeks in midfield. All the respect and love goes out to Koke, as he’s defended this club like his life depends on it. He is not someone who should be this depended on at this stage in his career. Johnny Cardoso has fallen flat amid high expectations due to his fitness. Barrios is Atleti’s most important player and he can’t seem to stay healthy, either.

There certainly is a lot of hope for Rodri Mendoza as some have labeled him the new Pedri, but I don’t think many expected he would be starting for the club this early into his tenure. As for Obed Vargas, some thought he would be loaned out upon arrival, but he’s featured in both matches he’s been available to play.

Home is not where the heart is

The Wanda/Civitas/Riyadh Air Metropolitano opened in 2017 and has been seen across Europe as a fortress that Los Rojiblancos have defended proudly. That same fortress has been penetrated by Real Betis and Bodø/Glimt in the span of two weeks, with FC Barcelona coming to town Thursday looking to do the same thing in the Copa del Rey semifinals.

Results aside, you don’t feel that same sense of fear teams have felt historically when visiting Atleti, whether it be in the Metropolitano or the Vicente Calderón. This year alone, a glaring issue for Los Rojiblancos has been scoring goals, getting a lead and then not defending that lead. As the club looks toward two competitions where home performances and results are going to be so important, do you trust Atlético to take care of business and handle their opponents at home?

Up for the challenge?

At this point, LaLiga is firmly out of reach. Simeone’s mantra always has been partido a partido, but now, facing arguably more scrutiny and pressure than ever, the man in black appears to have shifted his focus toward winning a trophy. With a mere 13 wins from 23 games in LaLiga, the focus clearly is not on the league, where Atleti should finish comfortably within the Champions League places

The two trophies Atlético de Madrid have a shot to win are the Copa del Rey and the Champions League, with one of those being much more sought after than the other. In la Copa, you better hope Atlético are ready to play with Barcelona coming to town on Thursday. Barcelona have won 17 of their last 18 matches in all competitions and outclassed Los Colchoneros at Camp Nou back in December. As for the Champions League, a two-legged tie with Club Brugge awaits Atlético, and that opponent has enjoyed success against Atleti in recent years.

The month of February is going to be one of struggle, suffering and fighting for Simeone’s men. Let’s hope they’re up for the challenge.