Posted at 8:00 a.m.
THE GAME
When it comes to Atlético de Madrid, there is always a saying: “suffering is necessary”.
Star striker Luis Suarez spoke about it in May 2021, after a snatch victory against Osasuna led the club to just one title victory. “Everyone tells you that suffering is part of the club’s identity, but I didn’t think it was that much the case,” he said.
Once again, on Saturday, Atlético suffered. Then suffered again. Like a volcano that ruminates until it erupts.
And eruption there was. Madrid trailed Valencia 2-0 at home after the first half. We were heading for a fourth defeat in six games in La Liga, in addition to the expulsions of two Cups in the meantime. We would have finished the weekend in seventh place.
After a flurry of changes near the hour mark, Atlético came back to life. Substitute Matheus Cunha rewarded his coach Diego Simeone’s choice by finding a loophole in the 64and, in reception of a corner. 2-1.
But the ordeal was not yet over. It was necessary to go to the very end of regulation time for Atlético to experience its release. At the 90and, Ángel Correa, another substitute, grabs a return at the mouth and makes it 2-2. A first shock is felt at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium.
Seven minutes of added time is announced. Madrid did not ask for so much: three minutes later, on a pass from Cunha, Mario Hermoso concretized this comeback in an open net in front of him. It’s 3-2 at the 93and. We imagine lava spitting out of the Metropolitano.
Instead of seventh, Atlético Madrid are back in the Champions League position in fourth place (36 points), one point ahead of Barcelona. Real Madrid (50 points) also saved the day by going up from 2-0 to 2-2 at the end of the match against Elche, and remain leader of La Liga.
THE GOAL
We sometimes celebrate the run or the dribble that precedes the shot for our goal of the week. For our selection of the day, we can only be thrilled by the trajectory that the ball took after Hakim Ziyech’s shot, practically motionless at the edge of the surface. The Dutchman thus opened the scoring in the 47thand for Chelsea against Tottenham.
Ziyech receives the ball after a nice climb from Callum Hudson-Odoi on the left. He sends it to his left foot. Then kick the leather.
At first we have the impression that the globe goes into the stands to the left of the cage… but no, it curves to the right. And simply fits into the top left corner of the net. Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris can only see the damage.
Chelsea will win 2-0 against Tottenham, a victory which consolidates their third position (47 points) in the Premier League.
THE PERFORMANCE
There are very few occasions to celebrate when his club finds itself in the relegation zone. Except maybe when he manages to get out of it.
The Girondins de Bordeaux can therefore thank their South Korean Ui-Jo Hwang for his fabulous hat-trick, Sunday against Strasbourg. This 4-3 victory brings Bordeaux to the 17and position in Ligue 1, 1 point behind the red lanterns.
Hwang struck for the first time in the 17and minute (1-0), taking advantage of an error by a Strasbourg defender. He completed his hat trick with a goal that would prove crucial in the 90and (4-2), before Strasbourg made it 4-3, in the 97and.
But it was the South Korean international’s second net that came to wow the gallery. A goal that is particularly similar to our goal of the week, by the way.
Hwang is completely alone on the right, and sees the space in front of him. He lowers his head and runs. Caught at the edge of the surface, he tries a sublime curling shot with his left foot, which falls to the left of the net.
Surprise victory, therefore, of a team in great difficulty against a formation in position to play in Europe next season.
THE MOMENT
PHOTO DANIELE MASCOLO, REUTERS
Edin Dzeko
The European soccer championships, which can be compared to marathons, are sometimes decided on very specific moments. From a stroke of genius to a fateful mistake. Talk to Steven Gerrard.
Inter Milan brought out their reigning Italian champion spirit on Saturday against Venezia FC. 35-year-old veteran Edin Džeko kept the Nerazzurri on course at the top of Serie A, with a header in the 90and. It was the materialization of an ascent started at the 40and with the equalizer of Nicolò Barella.
The previous week, rivals AC Milan, also in the hunt for the title in Italy, had conceded a heartbreaking goal in the 96and minute against La Spezia. 2-1 loss.
Inter, with 53 points and a game in hand, therefore has the break in service in Italy. Napoli and AC Milan follow with 49 units.