The goal has never been one of Koke’s virtues. The Atlético captain is the field player who has played the most games for the national team without ever scoring. And now that he is about to turn 34 and has already played more than 700 games in the Atlético shirt, he seems to have found the goal.
He scored a great goal in Girona, which opened the scoringjust as he had done the previous week against Valencia. One of those goals that is scored with the soul, with the ball bouncing after a rebound to be able to send it to the top corner.
With Koke’s goal, which came early, Atlético confirmed what it was beginning to show on the field, a team that dominated and felt superior to its rival.
It didn’t matter that he played away from home, as if that ghost had been locked up after the victory in Eindhoven in the Champions League, nor that before reaching the half hour mark he lost Nico González due to a muscle injury. Gallagher took his place.one more footballer to help Koke and Barrios manage a game that the two of them were already ruling alone.
Simeone asks the Englishman for intensity, fight, and the former Chelsea player sometimes gives him goals. The second in Montilivi was his, although almost unintentionally. His weak shot went on goal after hitting Vitor Reis.
That did not guarantee him being able to finish the game. Gallagher left in the next round of changes, with obvious anger and after having played just over 45 minutes.
Atlético was looking for something else already in the final minutes. The changes, The entry of Lemar and Asprilla gave life to Gironawho went to look for Oblak’s goal. Girona’s momentum did not last long, as they never had a chance in the game.
At Atlético everything worked. From Oblak, who made a great save from Witsel’s shot in the only clear opportunity that Girona had. Pubill continues to settle into his new place as center back, Llorente returned to the team after his injury and Sorloth becomes the best complement for Julián Álvarez now that the Argentine is not going through his best moment.
The Norwegian did not score, but he worked so that his teammates could do so. Koke and Gallagher did it in the first half, but Atlético saved the tie to close the last game of the year.
Griezmannwho has assumed his new role in the team without problems, found Raspadori on the edge of the area, returned the wall to him and the Frenchman made space to score the third. A great goal to match Koke.
