With Thursday’s 5-0 thrashing in the Copa del Rey Quarter-Finals still fresh in the memory, it was no surprise that Atleti started on the front foot.
Ademola Lookman scored on his debut during that rout at Estadio La Cartuja, and he almost made it two goals in as many games when he flashed a 10th-minute shot past the far post.
Betis withstood that early assault and created two great chances of their own when striker Cedric Bakambu was twice sent through one-on-one, but Jan Oblak made the save on both occasions.
The visitors grew further into the game and took a 28th-minute lead, when Oblak only got a hand to Antony’s curling effort from the edge of the box, which flew in at the near post.
The Brazilian’s 18th goal contribution of the season across all competitions (G10, A8) took the wind out of Atlético’s sails, although Lookman thought he had headed the hosts level shortly before half-time, only for the offside flag to cut short the celebrations.
It was the first time this season that Atleti had trailed a game in La Liga at half-time, and boss Diego Simeone responded with a triple substitution at the break, as Robin Le Normand, Alex Baena and Alexander Sorloth replaced Matteo Ruggeri, Thiago Almada and Julian Alvarez.
Sorloth almost equalised on the hour mark when his thumping header from a corner flicked the top of the crossbar, before the striker nodded his next effort straight at Alvaro Valles.
It looked like it would be one of those days for Atleti and that feeling increased when Betis centre-back Diego Llorente headed a cross into his own net 16 minutes from time, only for the goal to be disallowed following a lengthy VAR review after Antoine Griezmann was adjudged to be offside in the build-up.
The hosts pushed for an equaliser as they looked to preserve their unbeaten home record in La Liga, which included 10 successive league wins at the Estadio Metropolitano pre-round, but Betis held firm to end a run of seven successive defeats in away top-flight H2Hs.
Boss Manuel Pellegrini will be delighted at his side’s resilience as they bounced back from Thursday’s defeat in style, while this win keeps Betis fifth in La Liga as they hunt a UEFA Champions League place.
Atleti stay third, but their title charge is faltering, with the gap to leaders Barcelona now 13 points.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Antony (Real Betis)
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