Sports

Atletico Madrid held 1-1 by lowly Getafe

Sports Desk, Feb 4 (EFE).- Atletico Madrid had to settle for a 1-1 draw Saturday against 19th-place Getafe, but the Colchoneros still managed to tighten their grip on fourth place in LaLiga as the two teams on their heels both lost.

Diego Pablo Simeone’s men improved to 35 points, 4 better than both Villarreal and Real Betis.

Even so, El Cholo will not be happy that his squad again dropped points at home. Atleti have taken only 15 of 30 possible points in LaLiga games at the Civitas Metropolitano this season and they 4 points off the pace of third-place Real Sociedad, who have a game in hand.

Atletico were dominant, enjoying 63 percent possession, and looked to have taken the lead in the first half thanks to Alvaro Morata, but the goal was disallowed for an offside.

When Angel Correa scored off a rebound at the hour mark, the assistant referee waved it off for another supposed offside, only for VAR to intervene and restore the goal.

During the wait for VAR, Simeone had subbed off Correa, so once the goal was upheld, fans and television viewers were treated to the unusual sight of teammates coming over to the sideline to congratulate the Argentine on the bench.

The victory slipped away in the 83rd minute with a penalty for a hand ball by Saul Ñiguez. Enes Unal converted from the spot and Getafe hung on to pick up their first point of 2023.

Atletico’s rivals for the final Champions League spot, Villarreal and Real Betis, both missed chances to edge closer to the Madrid side.

Villarreal were embarrassed 3-1 by last-place Elche, while Betis came out on the short end of a 4-3 goal fest with Celta Vigo. EFE jap/dr

Related Articles

Back to top button