The Atlético B team proved they’re a force to be reckoned with in the Primera RFEF, taking down one of the category’s top contenders on their home turf. Despite their youthful lineup, Fernando Torres’ squad demonstrated exceptional game sense, outmaneuvering Real Murcia, who had been leading the group until recently.
From the get-go, Atlético started strong, with Javi Serrano initiating plays and Selu cutting off any opposition attempts. The midfielder showcased his ability to regain possession at any moment, and the team relied on him to attract the opponent inward, creating opportunities on the flanks. Meanwhile, Rayane took his time to warm up on the left, and Diego Bri made intermittent attempts on the right. However, it was Boñar who caught everyone off guard, surging from behind on the right wing, finding space, and delivering a stunning pass to Niño, who didn’t hesitate to score from the edge of the box.
Up until then, Murcia had barely threatened Iturbe, with only a few notable attempts, including a centered shot by Pedro Benito and a Kadete kick that soared into the sky. The rojiblancos were firmly in control, dictating the pace of a game that had been relatively quiet in terms of scoring opportunities. That was until the Murcia team capitalized on an Atlético mistake, equalizing the score. The home team had been successful in moving the ball from the back, but Kostis’ pass into the box didn’t find its target, and the Murcianos seized the chance. A frontal attack ensued, culminating in Pedro Benito facing off against Iturbe, who blocked the initial shot but couldn’t stop the rebound.
A Shift in Momentum
With the score tied, Rayane began to make his presence known, unleashing his signature sprint-downs and seeking out shooting opportunities from the edge of the box. Although his finishing was off, the visiting team had the best chance before halftime, with Palmberg inexplicably heading the ball wide from inside the small area, leaving the Torres-led squad breathing a sigh of relief.
The second half commenced with Kostis sending a low-flying ball and Davo testing Iturbe, but the Atlético B team continued to carry the weight of a match that wasn’t particularly eventful in terms of area presence. Torres’ squad focused on accelerating the pace in the midfield, a strategy that led to a string of yellow cards for the home team.
Niño Seals the Deal
Despite struggling to trouble Gazzaniga, Niño ultimately proved decisive. Receiving the ball in the area, he showcased excellent control, outmaneuvering the Argentine goalkeeper to score the winning goal. As the game drew to a close, Torres’ squad fell back on their experience, capitalizing on a Murcia team that failed to respond despite Omar’s expulsion before added time.
Match Details
The Atlético B lineup consisted of Iturbe; Boñar, Martín Pascual, Javi Serrano, Kostis, Julio Díaz (replaced by Pablo Pérez in the 72nd minute); Joaquín (substituted by Omar in the 80th minute), Selu Diallo, Rayane (replaced by Dani Martínez in the 88th minute); Niño (substituted by David Muñoz in the 88th minute) and Diego Bri (replaced by Jano in the 72nd minute). Fernando Torres led the team as coach.
The Murcia team, under the guidance of coach Fran Fernández, featured Gazzaniga; David Vicente, Saveljich, Alberto González, Kadete; Isi Gómez (replaced by Boateng in the 75th minute), Palmberg, Juan Carlos Real (substituted by Alcaina in the 62nd minute); Pedro Benito (replaced by Pedro León in the 75th minute), Flakus (substituted by Loren in the 62nd minute), and Davo (replaced by Antonio Toral in the 81st minute).
Goals were scored by Niño in the 21st minute with a shot from outside the area, Pedro Benito in the 32nd minute with a shot inside the area, and Niño again in the 82nd minute with an individual play. Pol Godia Solé, the Catalan referee, issued yellow cards to Joaquín, Saveljic, Diego Bri, Kostis, Gazzaniga, Palmberg, and Javi Serrano, and expelled Omar in the 90th minute.