Mandžukić decided in Getafe
A goal from Mandžukić on minute 40 was enough to defeat a feisty Getafe, that played almost the entire second half with ten due to the expulsion of Alexis. Control, game and chances were ours.
GETAFE 0 – 1 ATLÉTICO DE MADRID
Getafe: Guaita; Valera (Naldo, 44’), Velázquez, Alexis, Escudero; Juan Rodríguez, Lacen; Yoda, Lafita, Freddy (Sarabia, 77’); and Sammir (Babá, 65’).
Atlético de Madrid: Moyá; Juanfran, Miranda, Godín, Siqueira; Mario Suárez, Koke; Arda Turan, Raúl García, Griezmann (Cerci, 66’); and Mandžukić (Saúl, 82’).
Referee: Melero López (Andalucian Committee). Sent off Alexis (56’). Booked the locals Lafita (68’), Velázquez (71’), Sarabia (89’); and the visiting Mandžukić (52’), Miranda (56’) and Siqueira (83’).
THE GOAL:
0-1. 40’. Mandžukić shoots a corner kick into the net from the 6-yard box.
Atlético de Madrid took the field of the Alfonso Pérez Coliseum convinced they would achieve a new victory to get closer to the lead. And the truth is that Simeone’s men took the reins of the match very early. The control of the ball was theirs and the chances too. It took our team a while to score because Guaita had to save shots by Raúl García twice, Siqueira and Griezmann. In the fifth shot, Mandžukić opened the scoreboard with a striker’s goal, taking advantage of a lost ball in the 6-yard area.
In the second half, Getafe came out stronger and Moyá had to intervene on 51 minutes saving a corner kick with two gifted hands. It was what the team of Cosmin Contra had time for, because Alexis gave a nudge to Mandžukić, and was directly sent off. Getafe, with ten players, tried once and again, but the control of the game was still Atlético’s. Only in some sporadic occasions could the tie arrive, although Moyá was there to tackle the little danger that came to him. In the end, three golden points in a hard-fought match, where only Atlético de Madrid deserved to win.