Atletico appeared to be on track for victory when Alexander Sorloth converted a penalty in the 75th minute. However, the game took a dramatic turn when forward Angel Correa was sent off in the 87th minute, and Getafe midfielder Mauro Arambarri scored two late goals to secure a stunning comeback win for the hosts.
Missed Opportunity
A win would have propelled Atletico to the top of La Liga, but the late collapse left them ruing missed chances. “After we scored, we knew they would push forward. With the sending-off, being a man down, the game got away from us,” said Atletico midfielder Pablo Barrios in a post-match interview with DAZN.
Barrios added, “We were patient because we knew the goal would come, and it did. But then we retreated, and with the red card, we lost control of the game.”
Simeone’s Tactical Choices
Despite an upcoming Champions League last-16 second-leg clash against Real Madrid on Wednesday, Simeone fielded a strong starting XI. However, Getafe’s defensive approach stifled Atletico’s attack, resulting in a lackluster first half with few clear chances for either side.
“The game offered nothing; it was not a nice match to watch,” admitted Simeone after the match.
Key Moments
Getafe came closest to scoring in the first half when Christantus Uche directed a header straight at Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak. Meanwhile, Atletico’s Rodrigo de Paul suffered a knock and was substituted at halftime, while Clement Lenglet was replaced by Jose Gimenez in the starting lineup after picking up an injury during the warm-up.
Simeone confirmed that both players were dealing with minor issues, stating, “We’ll see if they’re ready for Wednesday’s game. If not, they’ll be ready for the next one.”
Sorloth Breaks the Deadlock
The breakthrough came in the 75th minute when Sorloth, brought on as a substitute for Julian Alvarez, calmly converted a penalty after Omar Alderete handled the ball in the box. The Norwegian striker’s goal was his 10th in La Liga this season, despite starting only nine of his 24 appearances.
Getafe’s Late Comeback
Atletico’s lead seemed secure until Correa’s dismissal for a high tackle on Djene Dakonam in the 87th minute. Getafe capitalized on the numerical advantage, with Arambarri equalizing shortly after by finishing a flicked-on free kick.
In stoppage time, Arambarri struck again, diverting Diego Rico’s long-range effort into the net to complete the comeback. The Uruguayan midfielder’s heroics earned Getafe a dramatic victory and left Atletico’s title hopes hanging by a thread.
“The team fought until the end, using our weapons. After the red card, we took the game to their area and created chances,” Arambarri told DAZN.
Implications for the Title Race
The defeat leaves Atletico vulnerable in the title race, with Real Madrid, who hosted Rayo Vallecano later on Sunday, having the opportunity to draw level with Barcelona at the top of the table.
For Atletico, the focus now shifts to their Champions League clash against Real Madrid, where they will need to regroup quickly to keep their European campaign alive.