It was certainly a case of stats not telling the full story for Quique Setien’s Real Betis on Sunday afternoon as they crashed to a seventh game without a win despite having 75 percent of possession against Atletico Madrid.
For the visiting team, it was their 19th game without defeat in LaLiga, setting a record for the club’s longest unbeaten run in league competition.
Surprise starter Sime Vrsaljko was the man who provided the assist for the matchwinning goal with a fine cross from the right flank evading everyone but Saul Niguez at the back post, and Antonio Adan couldn’t palm the ball off the line.
Betis fought back and enjoyed more opportunities, with four shots on target compared to just two for the visitors, but couldn’t beat Jan Oblak in the Atleti goal.
The 1-0 victory means that Diego Simeone’s side are just three points behind Barcelona ahead of the Catalans’ clash with Villarreal and only a point behind second placed Valencia.
