Atlético Madrid vs. Leganés: A Dramatic Turn of Events
Ah, the beautiful game! Where once you find an entire sector of the stadium empty due to fan antics, and
the next moment, it’s a heart-pounding affair as Atlético Madrid clashed with their
local rivals Leganés. Well, you know what they say about football – it’s 90 minutes
of drama punctuated by a lot of kicking and screaming!
Before the match, everything was as you’d expect from a Madrid derby – a fantastic atmosphere,
joyous anticipation, and a few too many overpriced pints! Yet, in true sporting fashion, the
infamous radical group Frente Atlético made headlines for all the wrong reasons by
throwing goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois into a fit of outrage. I mean, who needs an
extravagant halftime show when you’ve got a few hooligans? This unfortunate incident earned
Atlético a three-match sector suspension. Talk about giving the fans more room to stretch out!
Now, despite the unpleasantness brewing in the stands, nearly 60,000 diehard fans filled the
Metropolitano. They were in for quite the shock as Leganés unexpectedly took the lead with a
stunning strike from Yvan Neyou. The stadium was stunned – or possibly completely
silent, which is a rarity in football! With a powerful shot that sent shockwaves through the
netting, the score was suddenly 0–1. Oblak took a dive, but I reckon even he couldn’t have saved
his own birthday cake candle from that blast!
But fear not, dear Atlético fans! The first half ended with Leganés holding onto their lead, but
if there’s one thing we know about Atlético, it’s that they’re like a stubborn mule – or shall I say,
an angry bull? They charged back into the game, and in the 69th minute, Alexander Sörloth
performed a miraculous heel flick to level the score. It was so skillful, even the referee probably
thought about giving him a contract! 1–1, and you could hear the cheers echoing in the Madrid air.
The tide had turned, and it only got better for Atlético when Antoine Griezmann put
his team in front with a classic strike in the 81st minute. His goal was so smooth, it made
butter look like gravel. 2–1 to the good, and you’ve got to love the determination!
Just when you thought the game couldn’t deliver more excitement, chaos ensued in the 87th minute.
Griezmann, in a move resembling an awkward ballet, slipped and sent his opponent tumbling over.
The referee initially showed him a red, which had fans choking on their tortillas, but after a
video review, sanity prevailed with just a yellow. It’s a shame the VAR couldn’t have checked
which one of Griezmann’s feet did the true damage, but you know how football rules are!
After all that, Leganés couldn’t regroup, and even eight minutes of stoppage time seemed
generous. But Atlético wasn’t done yet! In a hilarious twist, Julian Álvarez sent a
cheeky ball into the box where Sörloth found himself at the perfect spot to net his second and seal
the match at 3–1. It’s like playing with a pack of kids – the last goal always seems to go in when
you’re least expecting it!
In the end, Atlético Madrid emerged victorious, proving that while the match may have started
rocky, their passionate comeback was nothing short of magnificent. As for Leganés? Well, it’s
back to the drawing board, but hey, there’s always next week!
SPANISH LA LIGA – ROUND 10 RESULTS
- Atlético Madrid–Leganés 3–1 (Sörloth 69., 90+10., Griezmann 81., Neyou 34.)
- Villarreal–Getafe 1–1 (From Comesana 44, Arambarri 87)
- Mallorca–Rayo Vallecano 1–0 (Muriqi 76.)
- Barcelona–Seville (TV: Player2)
- Valencia–Las Palmas (TV: Player2)
STANDINGS
1. Barcelona: 28 points
2. Real Madrid: 24 points
3. Atlético Madrid: 20 points
4. Villarreal: 18 points
5. Athletic Bilbao: 17 points
17. Leganés: 8 points
20. Las Palmas: 3 points
It was preceded by the usual great atmosphere Atlético Madrid domestic clash, even if the Leganes against Real Madrid, an entire sector of the Metropolitano remained empty, as a radical group of fans behind the south goal, Frente Atlético, threw goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois during the city derby against Real Madrid. Because of this, the match had to be interrupted in the middle, and the club was punished with a three-match sector suspension.
However, almost 60,000 spectators still came to the stadium and were surprised to see that despite Diego Simeone’s team rushing from the first minutes, Leganés took the lead completely unexpectedly: in the 34th minute, the Cameroonian Yvan Neyou he received a ball on the right wing and didn’t think much, bombed with great power into the short top. Jan Oblak threw himself in vain, but could not save the merciless shot. 0–1
The visitors’ advantage lasted until the break, but seeing Atlético’s superiority on the pitch, it was only a matter of time before the equalizer. In the 69th minute, Atleti scored, Alexander Sörloth standing with his back to the goal, he leveled the game with a brilliant technical move and a heel. 1–1
Even after the goal, Atlético remained in momentum, taking the lead in the 81st minute: this time the goal Antoine Griezmann he scored after bursting into the top five and passing Marko Dmitrovics, who was not moving out of his goal at a good pace. 2–1
Leganés almost had a great chance to go ahead: in the 87th minute, Griezmann slipped on his opponent’s leg with a pair of feet, and the referee immediately sent off the French player – who was partially innocent of the incident, as he slipped, which is why he committed the foul. The incident was videotaped, and in the end the Atlético classic received only a yellow instead of a red card.
After that, Leganés could no longer exert serious pressure on Atlético, who kept their advantage – despite the fact that the referee extended eight minutes, but the teams played even in the 100th minute… And this was significant because Atlético then scored his third goal of the match: the ball thanks to the violence of Julian Álvarez to Sörloth bounced, who scored his second and his team’s third goal of the game from two steps away. 3–1
SPANISH LA LIGA
ROUND 10, Sunday matches
Atlético Madrid–Leganés 3–1 (Sörloth 69., 90+10., Griezmann 81., ill. Neyou 34.)
Villarreal–Getafe 1–1 (From Comesana 44, or Arambarri 87 – 11)
Mallorca–Rayo Vallecano 1–0 (Muriqi 76.)
21.00: Barcelona–Seville (Tv: Player2) – live on NSO!
ON MONDAY
21.00: Valencia–Las Palmas (Tv: Player2)
ON SATURDAY
Celta Vigo–Real Madrid 1–2 (Swedberg 51., ill. K. Mbappé 20., Vinícius 66.)
Athletic Bilbao–Espanyol 4–1 (Vivian 6., I. Williams 28., 30., Berenguer 55., ill. Tejero 90+2.)
Osasuna–Real Betis 1–2 (Torro 59., ill. Vitor Roque 7., Chimy 73.)
Girona–Real Sociedad 0–1 (Oyarzabal 44.)
ON FRIDAY
Alavés–Valladolid 2–3 (T. Martínez 6th, K. García 90+7 and Sylla 17th – from 11th, Amallah 72nd – from 11th, Anuar 76th)
1. Barcelona98–128–9+19 24 2. Real Madrid1073–21–7+14 24 3. Atlético Madrid1055–16–6+10 20 4. Villarreal1053218–180 18 5. Athletic Bilbao1052317–11+6 17 6. Mallorca1052310 –8+2 17 7. Betis1043310–9+1 15 8. Osasuna1043314–16–2 15 9. Rayo Vallecano1034311–10+1 13 10. Celta Vigo1041517–170 13 11. Real Sociedad103348–80 12 Sevilla933 39–10– 1 12 13. Girona1033411–13–2 12 14. Alaves1031613–18–5 10 15. Espanyol1031610–17–7 10 16. Getafe101637–8–1 9 17. Leganes101546–12–6 8 18. 21–13 8 19. Valencia91355–13–8 6 20. Las Palmas9–369–17–8 3 AZ ÁLLÁS
Interview with Football Analyst, Maria Torres, on Atlético Madrid’s Dramatic Victory Over Leganés
Editor: Thanks for joining us today, Maria! Let’s dive straight into the match. There were quite a few unexpected twists. What were your thoughts on the atmosphere in the stadium, especially following the controversies leading up to the game?
Maria Torres: Thanks for having me! The atmosphere was electric, even with a sector of the stadium empty due to past fan incidents. Almost 60,000 passionate supporters showed up, eager to watch the derby. It really speaks volumes about the loyalty of Atlético fans, despite the challenges posed by groups like Frente Atlético. That anticipation set the stage for what turned out to be a thrilling match.
Editor: Absolutely! Speaking of thrilling moments, Leganés took an early lead with Neyou’s stunning strike. Did you expect that?
Maria Torres: Not at all! It was shocking to see Leganés score first, especially against a strong Atlético team. Neyou’s shot was exceptional—Oblak really had no chance. This sort of underdog performance adds to the beauty of football. It reminded everyone that surprises can happen, even in a derby.
Editor: After trailing, Atlético managed to level the score. Alexander Sörloth’s heel flick was quite the technical show. How pivotal was that goal in changing the momentum of the match?
Maria Torres: That goal was crucial! It showcased Sörloth’s skill and determination, and it shifted the atmosphere in the stadium. Atlético has a reputation for their resilience, and once they found their rhythm, it was clear they had the upper hand. The crowd really ignited after that, and you could feel the momentum build.
Editor: Following Sörloth’s equalizer, Griezmann’s goal seemed to confirm Atlético’s comeback. How important is Griezmann’s influence on the team, especially in high-pressure situations like this?
Maria Torres: Griezmann is a seasoned player with a knack for stepping up when it matters most. His goal was a testament to his quality and experience. In tight matches, having someone like him to rely on can make all the difference. He brings not just skill but also confidence to the team, which is crucial during those high-pressure moments.
Editor: The drama didn’t stop there, did it? The incident with Griezmann slipping and receiving a red card that was later overturned to a yellow—what do you make of that situation?
Maria Torres: That was a classic VAR controversy! Initially, it looked harsh to send him off, especially since he slipped. It’s always tricky when interpreting intent in such split-second situations. Thankfully, the right decision was made post-review. But moments like these add to the tension, and you can see how they influence the game’s flow.
Editor: Sörloth’s second goal sealed the 3-1 victory for Atlético. What does this win mean for their standing in La Liga, especially compared to the top teams?
Maria Torres: This victory is significant for Atlético. They showed resilience and skill in overcoming adversity, elements that are crucial for title challenges. With this win, they stay in the hunt, though they still have some ground to make up against both Barcelona and Real Madrid. Consistency will be key as they look to maintain this momentum moving forward.
Editor: Great insights, Maria! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this dramatic derby. We look forward to seeing how Atlético Madrid progresses in the league.
Maria Torres: Thank you! It was a pleasure discussing the match. Football never ceases to amaze!
Lipping and receiving a yellow card after initially being shown red was quite the spectacle. What are your thoughts on the use of VAR in this situation?
Maria Torres: It certainly added to the drama! While VAR can be a bit controversial, this instance showed its worth. Griezmann’s slip was an unfortunate accident, and the decision to downgrade the punishment to a yellow card was the right call. Such moments can change the course of a game, and it’s crucial to get these calls correct. The chaos it caused, along with the tension in the stadium, only heightened the match’s excitement.
Editor: And Sörloth’s second goal capped off an impressive performance for Atlético. What does this victory say about their potential for the rest of the season?
Maria Torres: It highlights Atlético’s resilience and ability to bounce back under pressure. They showed great determination and skill, especially in the second half. With this win, they’ve positioned themselves well in the league, and it’s clear they’re a strong contender moving forward. If they continue to perform at this level, they will certainly be in the mix for a top position in La Liga this season.
Editor: Thanks, Maria! It’s clear that Atlético Madrid continues to show their fighting spirit, and we can all look forward to more thrilling matches ahead.
Maria Torres: Absolutely! Thank you for having me!
