Atletico Madrid come from behind to beat Valencia

Sports Desk, Jan 22 (EFE).- Atletico Madrid mounted an epic comeback on Saturday to nip Valencia 3-2 and solidify their hold on fourth place in LaLiga.

Valencia took a 2-0 lead on goals by US international Yunus Musah and Hugo Duro and the reigning champions were jeered off the pitch at the break by their supporters at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid.

During the last decade under coach Diego Simeone, Atleti have established a reputation for stout defending. But after 21 matches, the Colchoneros have already conceded more goals in LaLiga than they did all of last season.

Simeone made one change to start the second half, replacing defender Renan Lodi with striker Angel Correa, and in the 56th minute, just after Valencia lost back-line anchor Oscar Alderete in injury, Luis Suarez tested visiting goalkeeper Jaume Domenech.

Sub Matheus Cunha reduced the deficit to 2-1 with a goal in the 64th minute off Yannick Carrasco’s corner.

Suarez should have equalized in the 70th minute, but sent the ball over the cross-bar, and Domenech made a good save against Koke in the 86th to maintain Valencia’s advantage heading into stoppage time.

Domenech dealt with an effort from Suarez in the 91st minute only to see Correa convert the rebound to level the contest at 2-2.

Two minutes later, Cunha’s pass found Mario Hermoso open at the far post and the defender gave Atleti their first lead of the night to the raucous delight of the fans.

Atletico put 3 points between themselves and fifth-place Real Sociedad, though they remain 13 points behind leaders Real Madrid and trail second-place Sevilla by 10.

Valencia remain ninth in the table. EFE

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