Atlético kick-off 2011 with a draw against Racing de Santander (0-0)
Valera and Diego Costa had a win in their grasp in the final moments
Atlético de Madrid began 2011 with a nil-all draw against Racing de Santander. Quique’s squad started off the match with less intensity than one would hope for, although in the waning moments, first Valera and then Diego Costa, could have given them a last-gasp victory. In any case, Atletíco earned one point that leaves them wanting more in the lead-up to the Cup fixture against Espanyol.
Quique Sánchez Flores’ men took on the Cantabrian side with the hopes of keeping their positive streak with which they ended 2010 against Málaga alive. The ‘rojiblancos’ are hoping to turn the Vicente Calderón into a fortress in this new year. With Diego Forlán only able to watch from the stands, Kun Agüero wore the captain’s armband, unquestionably attracting the attention of all of the Atlético supporters, once again bearing witness to the weight carried by the Argentine in the dressing room.
The first chance of the game arrived from the ranks of Atlético de Madrid when Kun got off a diagonal shot after a nice pass from Fran Mérida that almost surprised Toño. However, the ball slid just wide of the far post. The Atlético ‘10’ began 2011 with the same strength and intensity with which he wrapped up last year. He was the biggest asset for home squad on this chilly evening.
Racing de Santander wanted to make things tough on Atlético, but the side from Madrid was the one to create the clearest chances early on. Misfortune sided with Atleti as Portuguese central midfielder Tiago was forced to retire at the 20-minute mark due to a hamstring strain. Valera took his spot, with Raúl García moving into the middle for Tiago and Valera playing on the right wing.
Things had become complicated and Quique found himself obligated to modify his original game plan. The overall play lost a bit of fluidity and there were scarce chances at both ends. Atlético de Madrid didn’t attack with much clarity despite the attempts from Kun Agüero and Diego Costa. The Brazilian initiated a nice attack in which Fran Mérida tried to catch Toño off-guard with a measured pass, but the netminder was quick to dive off his line and wrap up the cross.
Atlético de Madrid slowly began to pick things back up. This time it was Godín who opened up on the left for Kun. The Argentine took in the pass on the left side of the area and tried to find Diego Costa at the far post, but the Racing defence cleared away for a corner. Diego Costa was very active in the final minutes of the first half, with his best chance coming after he charged past a defender on the left and unleashed a powerful shot that Toño was able to parry wide. The opening 45 minutes came to a close with this scoring chance. Racing de Santander were hardly able to test De Gea during this opening stanza, and their best chance came from a free kick taken by Kennedy from the top of the area that the Atleti goalkeeper was able to push wide without problems.
The second half began with a play that raised the hairs of the ‘rojiblanco’ faithful. A defensive mistake allowed Rosenborg to steal the ball and he almost beat De Gea. This was a wake-up call for the side from Madrid, which had come out lacking in intensity. Quique’s lads didn’t want to be overcome by desperation and twice Kun Agüero had chances to break through.
In the 55th minute Diego Costa headed a ball inside the six-yard box and Valera, who was making a run at the far post, was a split-second late in getting there. If Atlético were only enjoying sparse chances, Racing’s were almost non-existent. De Gea barely had any work, although Adrian soon turned into the main threat for the ‘rojiblanco’ defence. In minute 68, Tomas Ujfalusi got past the Cantabrian defence and down to the endline, but pressure from Colsa forced him into an inaccurate shot.
Raúl García left his spot for squad player Koke, and the youngster almost gave Atlético the lead on a shot from outside the area. Ujfalusi had another chance two minutes later, but was unable to get a solid head on the ball at the far post.
David De Gea once again came out with a huge save for his team in the 79th minute. The keeper made an amazing kick save on a diagonal shot from Rosenborg that seemed like a sure goal. The goalie from nearby Illescas proved to be unbeatable in goal on the few plays that required his participation. The response from Atlético came from the boots of Kun. The ‘colchonero’ striker ripped a hard shot from the top of the area, but it was off-target.
The match came to a close with the Atlético de Madrid supporters on their feet. Valera had a shot from close range that seemed like it might decide the match in stoppage time, but Cisma got there in time to cut away the danger. Seconds later Toño made a diving save to push away a header from Diego Costa on what turned out to be the final play of the game. With the draw, Atlético will have to continue battling uphill to reach Champions League spots.
ATLÉTICO DE MADRID, 0; RACING DE SANTANDER, 0.
Atlético de Madrid: De Gea; Ujfalusi; Godín, Perea, Filipe Luis; Tiago (Valera, 21’), Assunçao, Raúl García (Koke, 67’), Fran Mérida; Kun Agüero and Diego Costa.
Racing de Santander: Toño; Pinillos, Henrique, Torrejón, Cisma; Diop, Colsa, Kennedy (Iván Bolado, 73’), Adrián, Munitis (Óscar Serrano, 89’) and Rosenberg (Lacer, 82’).
Referee: Turienzo Álvarez. For Atlético de Madrid showed a yellow card to Perea (40’) and Raúl García (56’); for Racing de Santander booked Colsa (14’).
Incidents: Estadio Vicente Calderón. Match corresponding to week 17 of La Liga BBVA in First Division.
Quique Sánchez Flores’ men took on the Cantabrian side with the hopes of keeping their positive streak with which they ended 2010 against Málaga alive. The ‘rojiblancos’ are hoping to turn the Vicente Calderón into a fortress in this new year. With Diego Forlán only able to watch from the stands, Kun Agüero wore the captain’s armband, unquestionably attracting the attention of all of the Atlético supporters, once again bearing witness to the weight carried by the Argentine in the dressing room.
The first chance of the game arrived from the ranks of Atlético de Madrid when Kun got off a diagonal shot after a nice pass from Fran Mérida that almost surprised Toño. However, the ball slid just wide of the far post. The Atlético ‘10’ began 2011 with the same strength and intensity with which he wrapped up last year. He was the biggest asset for home squad on this chilly evening.
Racing de Santander wanted to make things tough on Atlético, but the side from Madrid was the one to create the clearest chances early on. Misfortune sided with Atleti as Portuguese central midfielder Tiago was forced to retire at the 20-minute mark due to a hamstring strain. Valera took his spot, with Raúl García moving into the middle for Tiago and Valera playing on the right wing.
Things had become complicated and Quique found himself obligated to modify his original game plan. The overall play lost a bit of fluidity and there were scarce chances at both ends. Atlético de Madrid didn’t attack with much clarity despite the attempts from Kun Agüero and Diego Costa. The Brazilian initiated a nice attack in which Fran Mérida tried to catch Toño off-guard with a measured pass, but the netminder was quick to dive off his line and wrap up the cross.
Atlético de Madrid slowly began to pick things back up. This time it was Godín who opened up on the left for Kun. The Argentine took in the pass on the left side of the area and tried to find Diego Costa at the far post, but the Racing defence cleared away for a corner. Diego Costa was very active in the final minutes of the first half, with his best chance coming after he charged past a defender on the left and unleashed a powerful shot that Toño was able to parry wide. The opening 45 minutes came to a close with this scoring chance. Racing de Santander were hardly able to test De Gea during this opening stanza, and their best chance came from a free kick taken by Kennedy from the top of the area that the Atleti goalkeeper was able to push wide without problems.
The second half began with a play that raised the hairs of the ‘rojiblanco’ faithful. A defensive mistake allowed Rosenborg to steal the ball and he almost beat De Gea. This was a wake-up call for the side from Madrid, which had come out lacking in intensity. Quique’s lads didn’t want to be overcome by desperation and twice Kun Agüero had chances to break through.
In the 55th minute Diego Costa headed a ball inside the six-yard box and Valera, who was making a run at the far post, was a split-second late in getting there. If Atlético were only enjoying sparse chances, Racing’s were almost non-existent. De Gea barely had any work, although Adrian soon turned into the main threat for the ‘rojiblanco’ defence. In minute 68, Tomas Ujfalusi got past the Cantabrian defence and down to the endline, but pressure from Colsa forced him into an inaccurate shot.
Raúl García left his spot for squad player Koke, and the youngster almost gave Atlético the lead on a shot from outside the area. Ujfalusi had another chance two minutes later, but was unable to get a solid head on the ball at the far post.
David De Gea once again came out with a huge save for his team in the 79th minute. The keeper made an amazing kick save on a diagonal shot from Rosenborg that seemed like a sure goal. The goalie from nearby Illescas proved to be unbeatable in goal on the few plays that required his participation. The response from Atlético came from the boots of Kun. The ‘colchonero’ striker ripped a hard shot from the top of the area, but it was off-target.
The match came to a close with the Atlético de Madrid supporters on their feet. Valera had a shot from close range that seemed like it might decide the match in stoppage time, but Cisma got there in time to cut away the danger. Seconds later Toño made a diving save to push away a header from Diego Costa on what turned out to be the final play of the game. With the draw, Atlético will have to continue battling uphill to reach Champions League spots.
ATLÉTICO DE MADRID, 0; RACING DE SANTANDER, 0.
Atlético de Madrid: De Gea; Ujfalusi; Godín, Perea, Filipe Luis; Tiago (Valera, 21’), Assunçao, Raúl García (Koke, 67’), Fran Mérida; Kun Agüero and Diego Costa.
Racing de Santander: Toño; Pinillos, Henrique, Torrejón, Cisma; Diop, Colsa, Kennedy (Iván Bolado, 73’), Adrián, Munitis (Óscar Serrano, 89’) and Rosenberg (Lacer, 82’).
Referee: Turienzo Álvarez. For Atlético de Madrid showed a yellow card to Perea (40’) and Raúl García (56’); for Racing de Santander booked Colsa (14’).
Incidents: Estadio Vicente Calderón. Match corresponding to week 17 of La Liga BBVA in First Division.
