When Giuliano Daniel Simeone Barrios lashed a left-footed volley into the bottom corner of the net in the third minute at Estadio Benito Villamarín, the entire stadium fell silent — not from shock, but from reluctant awe. It was the kind of goal that silences doubters, especially when you’re the son of the manager. Just days after Atlético Madrid suffered a humiliating 4-0 thrashing by Arsenal F.C. in London, they responded with grit, precision, and a moment of pure magic on October 27, 2025, in Seville. The final score: 2-0. The story? Much more complicated than that.
Redemption in Seville
The 4-0 loss to Arsenal had been a gut punch. Critics questioned whether Diego Pablo Simeone Hernández, the 55-year-old Argentine tactician, had lost his edge. His side looked disjointed, slow, and emotionally drained. But here in Andalusia, with rain slicking the pitch and the home crowd roaring, everything changed. The first goal wasn’t just a strike — it was a statement. A long throw-in from the left flank was half-cleared by Real Betis Balompié. The ball looped into the box, and Giuliano, positioned just outside the six-yard box, didn’t hesitate. Left foot. Pure connection. Ball kissed the net. Pau López Silva, Betis’ 30-year-old keeper, didn’t even move in time. The goal was his third of the season — and the most talked-about.Media reaction was immediate. Intothecalderon.com’s player ratings gave Giuliano a 9/10 — with a note that read: “Nepotism strikes again. Qué golazo!” But the commentary didn’t stop there. “An incredible volley to open the scoring, plus relentless work rate tracking back.” That last part mattered. This wasn’t a gift. This was a player earning his place, sprinting, pressing, and defending with the same ferocity his father demands.
The Second Goal: A Masterclass in Transition
If the first goal stunned, the second was surgical. In first-half stoppage time, Atlético Madrid cleared a Betis free kick near their own penalty area. Julián Alvarez — the 25-year-old Argentine striker — surged down the right, drawing two defenders. He didn’t shoot. He didn’t cross. He slipped a pass inside to Alex Baena Rodríguez, the 24-year-old Spanish winger on loan from Villarreal Club de Fútbol. Baena, unmarked, took one touch to control, another to set, and then — left foot again — curled it past López into the far post. The YouTube highlights captured the moment perfectly: “With the left foot, but absolutely stunning goal. Nothing to complain about Pau López.”For weeks, Baena had been a fringe player. His loan was seen as a stopgap. Now, he’d scored his first goal for Atlético in a high-stakes away match. The assist from Alvarez? A sign of growing chemistry. The timing? Perfect.
Defensive Discipline and Oblak’s Quiet Heroics
Real Betis, under Manuel Pellegrini Ripamonti, entered the match with just one loss in the 2025-26 campaign. They’d been one of LALIGA’s most consistent teams. But against Atlético, they struggled to find rhythm. Their midfield couldn’t control the tempo. Their wingers were bottled up. When they did break through — a rare counter in the 37th minute — Jan Oblak, the 32-year-old Slovenian goalkeeper, made a reflex save that looked more like instinct than training. That moment, more than any goal, defined the night.Atlético didn’t dominate possession. They didn’t need to. They absorbed pressure, countered with purpose, and defended like their season depended on it. And in many ways, it did.
Where This Leaves the Table
With the win, Atlético Madrid climbed to fourth place in the 2025-26 LALIGA standings with 16 points from 8 matches — their first away victory of the season. They’re now eight points behind league leaders Real Madrid Club de Fútbol, but crucially, they’ve closed the gap on rivals Barcelona and Sevilla. Real Betis, despite their strong form, remained in sixth, their unbeaten run snapped.For Diego Simeone, this wasn’t just about points. It was about restoring belief. After the Arsenal debacle, his players looked like they’d lost their identity. This performance — disciplined, aggressive, clinical — was the blueprint he’s preached for over a decade. And the goals? Scored by a son proving himself and a loanee making his mark.
What’s Next?
Atlético’s next fixture is a home match against an unnamed opponent, but with momentum on their side, the confidence is palpable. For Betis, the challenge is to regroup quickly. Their next match is equally unspecified, but the loss to Atlético exposed vulnerabilities in transition defense — something they’ll need to fix before facing top-four contenders.Giuliano Simeone, meanwhile, is no longer just “the coach’s son.” He’s a goal-scorer. A worker. A player who’s starting to define his own legacy — one volley, one tackle, one match at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Giuliano Simeone earn his place on the team despite being the coach’s son?
Giuliano Simeone has played 27 competitive matches for Atlético Madrid across all competitions since his debut, scoring 5 goals and providing 3 assists. His playing style — relentless pressing, intelligent movement, and strong work rate — matches Diego Simeone’s tactical demands. While nepotism accusations persist, his 9/10 rating against Betis and consistent training performances show he’s earning minutes through performance, not pedigree.
Why was Alex Baena’s goal so significant?
Baena, on loan from Villarreal, had started only three league matches prior to this game. His goal was his first for Atlético and came in a high-pressure away fixture. The assist from Julián Alvarez highlighted his growing integration into the team’s attacking structure. His left-footed finish — precise and calm under pressure — signaled he might be more than just a temporary solution.
What does this win mean for Diego Simeone’s future at Atlético Madrid?
After the 4-0 loss to Arsenal, Simeone’s job was under scrutiny. This result, especially the disciplined performance and tactical execution, has silenced many critics. Atlético’s hierarchy values resilience, and this win — coming after a low point — reinforces his authority. With the team now unbeaten in four league games, his contract extension remains likely, even if his future beyond 2026 is still uncertain.
How does this result affect Atlético’s Champions League chances?
The win over Betis doesn’t directly impact their European campaign, but it restored confidence after a disastrous group stage performance. With three games left in the Champions League group stage, Atlético needs to win at least two to have a shot at advancing. The mental turnaround shown in Seville could be pivotal — especially if they face tougher opponents like Bayern Munich or Real Madrid in the knockout rounds.
Why didn’t Real Betis create more scoring chances?
Despite having possession in patches, Betis struggled to break Atlético’s compact 4-4-2 block. Their central midfielders, particularly Javi Guerra and Youssef En-Nesyri, were isolated. Atlético’s high press forced hurried passes, and their fullbacks rarely overlapped effectively. Pellegrini’s side also lacked the pace to exploit the spaces behind Atlético’s center-backs — a weakness that was ruthlessly punished on the counter.
Is this the start of a new era for Atlético Madrid?
Not quite yet. But the blend of veteran leadership from Oblak and Simeone, the emergence of younger players like Baena and Giuliano, and the tactical discipline shown suggest a team rediscovering its identity. If they can maintain this level for the next 10 games, they’ll be serious contenders for a top-four finish — and possibly a trophy run in the Copa del Rey.
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