Atletico Madrid missed out on top spot in La Liga on Saturday evening, but at least managed to avert a home defeat late on after falling behind. Joker Sörloth scored for the long-decimated Rojiblancos.
CA Osasuna had delivered the assist on Saturday, with the Pamplona club luckily managing to get a point against the seemingly all-powerful Real Madrid. This meant that Atletico could take the lead in the table with a home win against Vigo. However, things turned out differently.
But one thing at a time: the game began with a shock moment for the Rojiblancos, which threw the entire game plan into disarray. Barrios was first shown a yellow card for an attack on Duran in midfield, but then, according to the video images, Juan Martinez Munuera showed him a straight red.
Atletico coach Diego Simeone was forced to make an early substitution, bringing on captain Koke for Samuel Lino. His team then retreated, only lying in wait for counterattacks. Vigo, who had previously only managed one away win this season, did not know what to do with the ball.
The most dangerous attack came from Marcos Alonso, who forced Oblak to make a save from a tight angle (36′ ). Shortly before half-time, Duran was suddenly completely free in the six-yard box, but the striker hit the ball wide (44′).
Borja Iglesias right in the thick of the action
With the second half, Vigo’s coach Claudio Giraldez brought on two fresh players. And in particular, former Bayer Leverkusen player Borja Iglesias was quickly to slip into a leading role: he was tackled by European champion Le Normand on the edge of the box – and went down theatrically. There was a penalty, which Iago Aspas converted to take a celebrated lead (68′).
Simeone didn’t hesitate to bring on fresh forces in the form of Sörloth, Correa and Gallagher to catch up. However, they lacked ideas, so that a long ball from their own central defense had to bring “salvation”: Gimenez hit the ball forward, where Sorloth cleverly put Starfelt off his game and shot in at the bottom left to make the final score 1-1 (81′).
The eighth draw in 24 league games means Atletico remain one point behind city rivals Real, who also received a red card and a penalty. Simeone’s team next travel to Valencia on Saturday before facing Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semi-finals. Vigo host Osasuna on Friday (9pm CET).
