RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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Atletico Madrid's Argentine forward Giuliano Simeone celebrates scoring his team's second goal in the draw against Villarreal (Pierre-Philippe MARCOU)
Atletico Madrid salvaged a 2-2 draw against Villarreal in La Liga on Sunday despite having defender Robin Le Normand sent off.
Giuliano Simeone grabbed his team a draw after Gerard Moreno and Georges Mikautadze's penalties put Villarreal in front following Marc Pubill's 59th-minute opener.
Atletico coach Diego Simeone brought Julian Alvarez on as a second-half substitute to a chorus of boos from home supporters.
The forward walked down the tunnel at the end by himself while his team-mates were thanking the fans after securing their draw.
"I think that we all have to be united, Julian is with us in the team, while he's here we will support him," Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak told DAZN.
"It's not a comfortable situation for anyone, I hope it's resolved and we're all happy at the end of the season."
Simeone began with Alvarez on the bench, and fans jeered as his name was read aloud by the stadium announcer at the Metropolitano stadium, after his attempt to leave the club this summer amid interest from Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Villarreal had the better opportunities in the first half, with Pubill blocking Mikautadze's shot well from close range.
The Georgian forward played in Ayoze Perez brilliantly before the break but Oblak thwarted the Spaniard.
Atletico took the lead just before the hour mark when Spain defender Pubill scored from long range, curling powerfully into the top corner.
Atletico's lead did not last long, with Moreno levelling from the penalty spot after Morten Hjulmand clumsily felled Tajon Buchanan.
Simeone sent on Alvarez for his first appearance of the season, with Atletico fans showing their anger at the Argentina international.
With 12 minutes remaining, Villarreal took the lead with another penalty, after Mikautadze had been shoved over by Le Normand, who was sent off following a VAR review of the incident.
Mikautadze took the spot kick himself and calmly slotted home.
However, Baena, who won the World Cup with Spain, played in Simeone's son Giuliano to finish with five minutes remaining.
Oblak saved well from Buchanan as Inigo Perez's Yellow Submarine, who pipped Atletico to third place last season, came close to claiming the three points.
"I'll remember a lot of good things the team did, the team reacted well with a player less and wanted to win the game with 10 men," the Atletico coach told DAZN.
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