ATB thrash Inter to start the season
MATCH REPORT
The debut of ATM 2020/21 and the new project of manager Jordi Roger. 7 months after the last league game, and with a crowd of only 1000 spectators due to coronavirus restrictions. Fans had their temperatures taken, the use of masks and hand gel was carefully controlled and season ticket holders were safely accommodated.
Jordi went for an 11 made up of Juan Carlos in goal and a back four with Luca, Peris, Orfila, and Olaortua. In midfield, Alfonso and Barrera made up the double pivot, Pichín on the left, Fito on the right and a front two of Haro and Vinicius. A classic 4-4-2. ATM were clearly the dominant team in the first half and looked fantastic. A great start. Almost without realising they went ahead in the 9th minute; a measured pass from Pichín on the left-hand side found Haro free on the penalty spot, his shot clipping the post on the way in. 1-0. ATB continued to control the game throughout the half. A loss of possession for Barrera in midfield could have been costly but De Mesa blazed it over the bar to waste the best chance for the Madrileñas in the first half. In the 21st minute Fito showed the strength of his left foot with a long range shot from a free kick that had goalkeeper Garrincho scrambling to avoid a second goal. A great attempt from the Catalan. In the 25th minute the roles were reversed; this time Haro was the one assisting Pichín who showed a cool head one on one with the keeper to slot home. 2-0. The game was firmly under control by this point, even more so when Arthur saw a second yellow in the 40th minute to leave DUX a man down. On 45 minutes Sergio fired wide and the two teams went into the break at 2-0. A great performance from ATB.
The second half was also dominated by one team, at least for the first 25 minutes. The final two goals to wrap up the result arrived quickly. In the 50th minute Fito scored from the penalty spot after a handball from an Inter defender after good work from Pichín. A good game for the ex Cultu winger. The fourth came after a great interception from Vinicius, who set up and finished the goal himself for his first goal at the club. The only negative of the second half was the dismissal of Peris for a second yellow and a muscle injury to Baselga that left ATB to play the last few minutes with only 9 men. Earlier, Jordi Roger had brought on Kako for Barrera and also made a triple change of Cobo, Baselga and Coro. Coro almost had a goal with an effort of Primera Division standard – driving forward and cutting into the 6 yard box but the keeper saved his shot. Armando also came on in the 80th minute. At the final whistle the score ended 4-0 with a goal fest to start the campaign and build confidence. Next week the team travel to Rayo Majadahona.
GAME STATS:
Atlético Baleares: 13. Juan Carlos, 2. Ferrone, 3. Peris, 4, Olaortua, 22. Orfila (c), 14. Alfonso, 8. Barrera (61′ 16. Kako) , 11. Pichín (75′ 20. Coro), 21. Fito (75′ 15. Cobo), 7. Haro y 9. Vinicius Tanque (75′ 19. Baselga).
DUX Inter: 25. Juan José, 2. Expósito, 3. Herrero (c), 5. Alejandro Cortijo, 6. Arthur RenaN, 7. Adrián Mancebo, 8.Reguera Olivares(61′ 22. Gonzalo Poley), 9. Adri de Mesa (61′ 15. Rashiti), 10. Ruben Ramos (61′ 16. David Rabadán), 11. Sergio Arribas, 19. Jesús Moyano.
Referee: Jorge Tárraga: Showed a yellow card to Luca Ferrone in the 25th minute, Showed a second yellow card to Arthur Renan in the 36th minute, Showed a yellow card to Perís in the 48th minute, Showed a second yellow card and sent off Perís in the 70th minute.
GOALS:
1-0 Haro 9′
2-0 Pichín 25′
3-0 Fito 50′
4-0 Vinicius 70′
POST MATCH INTERVIEWS:
Jordi Roger: “To start the way we did is a great debut, to be honest. I hoped to see a good performance, that they did what we had asked of them and I am very happy, we could have even scored more goals and they only had one chance. We were really good and intense, we knew they were a team that wanted the ball and risked it and that’s how it was. Happy with the first three points but like I say, what happens happens, we have to move on and think about Sunday’s game from tomorrow. We will celebrate tonight and work tomorrow. The last 20 minutes were more disappointing. I was not at all happy with the sending off of Peris. As the games increase we will need to be better. We are lacking enough preseason games to gain rhythm because although everything has gone well today, even though it cost us a bit, we always have to look to get better. It is a different story with the fans, I wish that the stadium was already full because we will need them alongside us, and the players notice it. It only helps the result in football.”
David Haro: “Last year when we played at home we felt like we could beat anyone and we are happy to have started like that this year, with a goal and an assist as well as the win. Dani Pichín set me up perfectly, good control, and I put it through his legs and that’s very difficult for the keeper to deal with. We couldn’t have imagined that it would have gone this well with the preseason we have had. Two quick goals in the first half and then the same in the second and game over. It gives us confidence to begin by winning like this. It was great that there were 1000 spectators, they encourage us and if they respect the rules then perfect.”
Juan Carlos: “Everyone was responsible for this great start, we have to be ambitious but with our feet on the ground. The team played well, 3 points are 3 points and we enjoyed it, the team played well but the result mustn’t hurt us. There are no easy games, and the team responded well. Tomorrow we go back to the training ground to go over everything and think about the next game to approach it with maximum humility and go game to game like the gaffer says. What happens happens, tomorrow we carry on training and from Sunday to Sunday. Within the dressing room we control the euphoria and the gaffer is the first to do so. Its amazing to win 4-0 but uncontrolled euphoria is not good. All the balearicos will enjoy this win but it’s just 3 points and there is a long road ahead. I didn’t have a lot to do today but I never think that it will be easy, maximum respect for every opponent. To win 3 games in a row in any league is not easy.”
