Atletico Madrid 1-1 Celta Vigo: Lackluster Hosts Fail To Inspire

Posted Friday, January 22, 2010 by Goal.com

Simao, Tiago, Atletico de Madrid, Celta

Atletico Madrid were far from impressive as they escaped from the first leg of their Copa del Rey quarter-final with a 1-1 draw against an industrious Celta Vigo side.

Both goals came early in the first half with Roberto Trashorras firing Celta in front three minutes in before Tiago pulled one back for the hosts.

Celta took a surprise lead when Trashorras latched onto Iago Aspas' clever backheel before racing into the box and cutting a low drive past the advancing David de Gea into the bottom corner to shock the Vicente Calderon.

The hosts responded with a fiery intensity that had been absent for so long this season and almost had an equalizer five minutes later when Czech defender Tomas Ujfalusi made a fantastic surging run at the heart of the Celta defense and Yoel had to be alert to stop his close range cross which was deflected goalwards by Michu.

Atleti restored parity just a minute later when new signing Tiago rose highest at the back post to nod home from a Jose Antonio Reyes corner.

Celta were not disheartened and continued to play the better football, dominating the midfield exchanges for large periods. While they enjoyed the lion's share of possession in the first 45, the Segunda outfit lacked sufficient quality up front to test De Gea in the Atleti goal as a resolute defense managed to keep the visitors at bay.

Atleti's greatest threat came through the lively Sergio Aguero who spearheaded the hosts attacking efforts. Reyes and Simao Sabrosa linked well with 'Kun' on occasions but without really testing the Celta stopper Yoel.

Quique Flores introduced Diego Forlan for Simao at the break as Los Colchoneros sought goals to make home advantage count but it was Celta who continued to press. Dani Abalo was a constant threat down the right touchline but the Segunda side failed to find the necessary quality in the final third to take advantage of Abalo's excellent work rate.

Ten minutes after the interval Aspas raced clear of the Atleti defense but his stinging shot was well saved by De Gea.

Moments later an in-swinging Trashorras free kick from 25 yards out on the left evaded everyone and De Gea had to get down smartly to save.

Atleti looked static for much of the game but showed signs of creeping back into the match midway through the half as Forlan fired a couple of sighters goalwards. However De Gea was much the busier between the sticks and saved well again from Aspas at close quarters after Abalo slipped him in with a delightful through ball.

Both sides probed in search of a winner and although De Gea had to cope with a sloppy back pass from Ujfalusi late on, it finished 1-1 and on this showing Atletico have it all to do if they are to progress to the semi final stage.