Jenaro Lorente
Madrid, Dec 15 (EFE).- Climbed almost to the top, with a streak of eleven consecutive victories and with the right to dream. This is how Atlético closed the year 2024 at the Metropolitano, after beating Getafe (1-0) in the last duel of the year at the Madrid venue. A victory that places them second in the standings, ahead of Real Madrid.
Very cold, with the stadium full (60,169 spectators), with the lower stands of the South Fund once again cheering in their entirety, with red and white Santa Claus hats distributed across all the seats, at lunch time and against an a priori rival affordable, ‘Cholo’ Simeone’s men were ready to say goodbye to the year with a new victory at home.
However, the victory was missed for Atlético, who found a very defensive Getafe. A very weak opponent in attack, only concerned with holding on with a clean sheet. Atlético couldn’t find the key to open the can. Slow and not very intense in the first half, he discovered it in the second act, with Alexander Sorloth on the pitch.
In the 69th minute, the Argentine Nahuel Molina, also an actor in the second half, took a perfect cross from his right boot into the area that the Norwegian collected with a perfectly placed header, which gently slipped into David Soria’s goal. . A great goal that made it 1-0 when the nerves were already palpable in the stands. The striker’s seventh goal with his new shirt, discussed against Sevilla due to his failed shots.
There were 20 minutes left, but the most complicated thing had been achieved for Atlético, who extended the victory until the final whistle, putting the lock on the Metropolitano in the year 2024 in full form, on the crest of the wave.
During the year that is about to end, Atlético has lost four games at the Metropolitano. 0-1 against Athletic Bilbao in a Cup match. 0-3 and 1-4 against Barcelona and Osasuna, respectively, in League duels, and 1-3 against French Lille in the Champions League. They have drawn twice, against Real Madrid and Espanyol (1-1 and 0-0 in the League) and have won 20 times. In 9 games he has scored at least three goals.
Getafe was little rival, despite the short result, for a packed Atlético, with Barcelona within reach, Real Madrid behind and a crucial confrontation with the Barça team next weekend. The Metropolitan celebrated it in a big way. Investments in summer transfers are taking effect. Simeone has found the key that leads to a good season and Atlético is emerging as a clear candidate in the fight for titles. EFE.
