The duel, a LaLiga ‘classic’ – yes, there is no marketing here – did not disappoint. Wonderful atmosphere, crowded stands and two teams scheduled for battle. Father against son. The San Mamés stands remembered him: “Welcome home to parents” (Welcome to the parents’ house). If the message intended to offend, it did not, because Atlético never denies its origin and is proud of its roots. And if you meant to praise, it was beautiful. On the prairie, a great Athletic played the bugle, explored all the loopholes and died with his boots on, exuding poise and ambition. Opposite, an Atlético full of resilience, which made the wish of many of its fans come true: to return to 2016. Weighed down by their countless internecine wars, Atleti uncovered themselves with their best game of the season. Against a level rival, Simeone’s carnal wall defended his area as in the old days, as if it were Helm’s abyss, he came out against it with masterful combinations and like a good son, he ended up beating his father.
The night, paraphrasing Paco Caro, screened men’s heroes. Kondogbiaturned into an omnipresent ‘octopus’, took out his tentacles for a walk and swept the entire center of the field. Griezmann, also determined to return to 2016, was once again that great star with the soul of a gregarious, scoring a goal and leading the team, wasting dedication in defense and flashes of class in attack. Antoine scored two goals. The first, in the field. The second, outside of it, where he apologized to his people and made it clear that he came back to add, because he is where he wants to be. Grbic, who came out cold after Oblak’s injury, showed that he is up to the task and withstood the local bombardment. Y Reinildo, perhaps the best signing in the history of Atleti in value for money along with Pantic, made defense an art. He ate Nico Williams with potatoes, then he had his brother Iñaki for a snack, he showed that even X-rays do not pass him and in the last breath, he saved a goal with his face. This is how Simeone wants them.
If Athletic explored the limits of cholista resistance, the referee team explored those of their patience. The arbitration, which crossed the line of nonsense to shore up on the beach of dishonesty, tilted the field. Figueroa Vazquez, in its most ‘top’ version, annulled a great goal from Morata after consulting with what little remains of the VAR- penalties are not awarded but goals are annulled due to slight contacts-, Atleti showed seven yellow cards (17 fouls) and zero Athletic (14), threatened to fire Simeone, spent the game looking for Morata and as a tip, did the worst thing a referee can do, whistle something that was only in his imagination: whistle Reinildo’s hand for having cleared with his face . He took ‘cerocoma’ to decree it. For desire he was not going to stay. The repetition, explicit, left him as the place where the back loses his chaste name. It was face, not hand. Medina Cantalejo you must be proud. ‘Game Over’.
Atleti, determined to return to 2016, left his father’s house with his head held high, all neck. He had suffered a Time.news of events-two injured, seven yellow cards, a disallowed goal and an unprecedented chase-, but he left with the best possible loot, three points after winning twice. Many Atleti fans insist that they don’t want Simeone to leave, but rather they want him to come back. Last night his team returned, that coach returned and the fans returned to 2016. If you work and believe, you can. let it last
Ruben Uria