A well-fought draw against a great rival
A well-fought draw against a great rival
The Red and Whites managed to earn a point (2-2) against Atlético de Madrid in a game where they played with attitude, keeping the good feelings in the team
Great draw for Athletic Club (2-2) in their visit to the Primera Iberdrola’s current leaders, which allows the Lionesses to keep their position as one of the top teams in the table. Lucía García had her first chance not long after the match had started, but her shot went over the bar. Atlético de Madrid found a goal early, after a mix-up in Athletic’s box which was taken advantage by Leicy, giving her team the lead on 10 minutes. Villacampa’s side found it difficult to get over the goal conceded, even more when the hosts, with Ludmila and Charlyn, kept on pressuring the red-and-white defence.
Athletic was playing at Centro Deportivo Wanda for the first time, with a new forward line. Lucía García and Ane Azkona on the flanks, with Yulema Corres confronting the hosts’ defence. It was precisely on 32 minutes when the player from Gasteiz, with the goal behind his back, controlled a ball and passed it to Lucía García. The international player dribbled past Van Veenendaal to level the game. A goal that gave the Lionesses their confidence back, entering the break willing to take something more than a point from Alcalá de Henares.
Páblo López’s team was about to score in the first play of the second half, but it was in their second chance when, the same way as it happened in the first half, Menayo took advantage of a ball in the six-yard box to put her side ahead again on 50 minutes. But the response came almost immediately this time. Azkona ran to the goal line to kick a dangerous cross that Laia Aleixandri ended up sending to the back of her own net, drawing again and going back to the beginning.
Atlético carried the weight of the game in the second half, trying to break the tie. The Lioness knew how to handle the pressure and, after great struggle, managed to earn a point from their draw in Atlético’s stadium, something no other team has been able to do so far this season. The Lionesses’ spell continues and they will welcome Sevilla FC next Sunday, ready to keep giving the same good impressions.