Atletico lost to the effective of Almería

 Atletico Madrid defending the lead at the top of the table went Mediterranean Games Stadium in Almería against who had never beaten Atleti in the League, although they had beaten them in the Cup in the95-96 season when Diego Pablo Simeone played. And Francisco Rodriguez men did not want to make things easy. The truth is that it was impossible to do more with less because the Almeria beat Athletic with two shots on goal and an unjust penalty.

After the first few minutes when the ball was played around, Atletico Madrid took control of the game. More possession, more control and moving the ball around gaining yards at every moment and occasion gradually. First it was his Manquillo with the cross from the right that cleared Esteban but Verza managed to clear it after 7 minutes.

It was the first warning of an Atletico who meter by meter was looking to test Estaban. Diego was very active and was the one who caused problems for the Almeria goal with two shots, first after 12 and then 24 minutes.

Almería only dedicated to pressure Atletico to try and steal the ball and get out on the break, but the pressure was telling on the home side, while the Spaniard referee had to stop the game with constant fouls, especially in the wide areas, impeding the flow to the game.

The first half ended with Simeone’s team controlling the game in Almeria’s half without creating more chances with game locked and continuous fouls that cut any hint of speed in Atletico Madrid, since the purpose of Almería seemed to be to stop the attacks off the visitors, without paying much attention to their attack. Jonathan Zongo was isolated and got little help from Suso, Soriano or Aleix Vidal, whose mission was more defensive than offensive.

After the break Atletico Madrid brought more colour to the game. Reemphasized by Diego with a low shot that was lost near the right post in the 49th. The script of the game continued as in the first half with a dominating Atlético and Almería playing very together, tightly closed, and cutting the Atletico game with fouls. As an Andalusian failed to create danger and create a situation of goal but Simeone’s team left little space.

Midway through the second half came a move that ended with Tiago injured. He had to be withdrawn on the stretcher after the tackle from Barbosa. In addition to Mario on for the injured Tiago, Simeone decided to bring on Sosa for Diego. The match entered its decisive phase. Almería threatened their first shot on goal that crashed into the two posts in a row.

But the worst was yet to come in the 79th minute, the first goal of the match with a cross-shot from Verza managed to beat Aranzubia who could do nothing to prevent it going in. The game was further complicated with a decision by Fernando Teixeira Vitienes, who gave a penalty and expulsion when Jonathan Zongo was taken down by the Atletico goal. Atletico, who had made three changes, had to put the Gabi in goal before Verza made it 2-0 . That game ended up being punishment for Atletico, playing with 10 players and Gabi in goals.