SEVILLE: Atletico Madrid’s unbeaten run in La Liga came to an end on Sunday when defender Jose Maria Gimenez scored an own goal in a disappointing 1-0 defeat at Real Betis.

Atletico now sit fourth in the Spanish top flight on 20 points, two clear of Betis, after their first loss of the season.

“I am clear on the path. I know that football is about work, and when you can’t find that continuity and only achieve it in parts, you suffer,” said coach Diego Simeone, whose side also suffered a crushing 3-0 defeat by Lille in the Champions League midweek.

Atletico were in trouble early on when Gimenez deflected Abde Ezzalzouli’s cross into Jan Oblak’s net, giving the home side the lead four minutes into the game.

Argentine duo Julian Alvarez and Rodrigo De Paul sought to create chances, as did Antoine Griezmann, but the best attempt came from Rein­ildo Mandava, whose header from a corner was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Rui Silva.

Betis piled on the pressure in a bid to double their lead, particularly through striker Vitor Roque, who had a second-half goal disallowed for offside.

“We have to keep going, Barcelona are 10 points ahead of us, there’s a lot left and we have to keep quiet, work harder in training and compete. The way forward is work and we’re going to keep trying,” Atletico captain Koke said.

In Sunday’s late match, Osasuna struck twice in the first half to beat Real Sociedad 2-0 at the Reale Arena.

Midfielder Lucas Torro opened the scoring for the visitors in the 23rd minute before striker Ante Budimir doubled the lead 11 minutes later.

The win helped Osasuna to move up to sixth in the standing with 18 points, while Real Sociedad remained 12th.

Elsewhere, newly-promoted Leganes defe­ated Celta Vigo 3-0 while rock-bottom Valencia held Getafe to a 1-1 draw.

Published in Dawn, October 29th, 2024