Liga, Almeria-Atletico Madrid 2-2, Simeone draws with Ultima

Unexpected stop for Atletico. Playing in Almeria, last in the league and the only team in the Liga still without a win, Inter’s opponent achieved a 2-2 draw, only to be overtaken twice by the excellent goals of a boy who arrived in Andalusia in January on loan from Milan: Luka Romero. Four Argentine goals and Atletico sleeping fourth at +3 on Athletic, playing tomorrow in Seville with Betis. For Cholo in the last 6 outings in the cup, La Liga and Champions League, only one victory, with 3 defeats and two draws. Not exactly a great moment.

SIX CHANGES

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With the match placed between the trip to Milan and the one to Bilbao, Atletico plays for access to the Copa del Rey final against Athletic on Thursday at San Mames, Simeone made 6 changes compared to the starting eleven at San Siro : Savic, Gabriel Paulista, Reinildo, Pablo Barrios, Depay and Correa on for the injured Gimenez and Griezmann, with Mario Hermoso, Saul, Marcos Llorente and Witsel resting on the bench.

IMMEDIATE BENEFIT

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Time 69 seconds and two of the innovations introduced by Cholo gave Atletico the advantage: great sprint from Reinildo on the left, with opponents outplayed and perfect cross for Correa who hit with precision with his left foot in the middle of the area. For the Argentine, 6 games as a starter and 7 goals in La Liga.

HERE IS LUKA ROMERO

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Almeria in shock, Atletico in control, but not for long. Driven by 19-year-old Luka Romero, who had just arrived from Milan, the home team shook off their fear and slowly came to a draw. Signed by the Argentine himself. Served by Pubill, Romero received his back to goal, turned past Rodrigo De Paul and beat Oblak with a great left-footed shot from 20 metres. Romero in 2020 at 15 years and 219 days with Mallorca, where he grew up, became the youngest debutant in the history of La Liga, but he had not yet scored in the Spanish championship.

ANOTHER ARGENTINIAN

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During the break, Samu Lino and Koke were out to bring in Riquelme and Marcos Llorente, but Rodrigo de Paul’s first goal of the season, in match number 33, gave Atletico the lead again. Argentine connection, with a pass from Molina, and from the left De Paul’s shot hit an opponent, beating Maximiano.

DOUBLE LOOT

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And after a crossbar from Riquelme, entered for Samu Lino, here is the second magic from Luka Romero. The boy born in Mexico had scored two goals as a professional so far: one with Mallorca in Segunda and one against Monza with Lazio. Last night he doubled his tally by equalizing again in the 64th minute with a great left-footed strike assisted by Jonathan Viera. Time 5 minutes and Romero, physically destroyed, came out with the stadium on its feet singing ‘Luka, Luka’.

DRY DEAD

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Atletico sought victory with reasonable conviction, some confusion and no luck. A nice shot from Morata, who came on as Witsel, forced Maximiano, the goalkeeper on loan from Lazio, to make a providential double save. And Morata himself had the 3-pointer in the 94th minute, but the attacker shot high from a few meters, a gift from the opposing defense