A youthful Atletico Madrid side came back from a goal down to beat third-tier Reus Deportiu 2-1 on Tuesday to edge toward the last 16 of the Copa del Rey.
Lucas Hernandez’s defensive error allowed Fran to fire the underdogs into a shock lead on the half-hour mark.
However, 10-time winners Atletico responded immediately through Luciano Vietto’s headed equalizer before Saul Niguez flicked home the winner 27 minutes from time.
Photo: AFP
The two sides meet again in the second leg on Dec. 17.
“The tie is still tight and it is not a comfortable result,” Atletico coach Diego Simeone said.
“I value the ability to come back from 1-0 down. Once we start making better decisions in the box, it will lift the level of the team a lot,” he added.
Simeone made seven changes to the side that beat RCD Espanyol on Saturday to remain second in La Liga.
That lack of continuity showed early on against a Reus side that had only been beaten once previously this season on their way to leading their regional division in the third tier.
Vietto should have opened the scoring when he fired straight at Edgar Badia with a clear sight of goal after seven minutes.
However, the opener arrived at the other end as Hernandez slipped under pressure from Fran and the playmaker confidently slotted past Miguel Angel Moya.
Vietto made amends for his earlier miss with a fine header into the bottom corner to level the score six minutes later.
Atletico had far more control after the break, but needed a set-piece to break Reus down as Saul’s clever flicked header from Koke’s corner looped into the far corner.
In the night’s other tie, second division CD Leganes shocked Granada 2-1.
Holders Barcelona were to host Villanovense in the second leg of their fourth-round tie at the Camp Nou last night after a 0-0 draw in the first leg five weeks ago.
Real Madrid were to open their Copa del Rey campaign last night away to Cadiz.
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