Atlético Madrid weren’t flashy on Sunday, but when you’re chasing a league title, the only thing that really matters is three points. Diego Godín and Diego Costa did the damage for Diego Simeone’s side, but Costa could be lost for the season after slamming his leg into the goal post scoring his goal late in the match.
Getafe vs. Atletico Madrid: Final score 0-2, Atléti wins but loses Diego Costa to a leg injury
Atléti took another step towards a La Liga title, but may have lost Diego Costa to a severe leg injury.
Denis Doyle
As is usually the case with Atlético Madrid, the offense was a little slow getting started. Getafe came out strong and put the Atléti defense under some early pressure, but failed to be particularly threatening in the process. The Azulones continued to play strong as the first half rolled up and appeared on their way to taking a scoreless draw into the break, at least until Atléti flexed their attacking muscles with just five minutes until halftime.
The visitors earned a corner kick in the 40th minute that was cleared from danger, back to Juanfran about 40-yards out from goal. The defender dribbled forward before sending a curling ball over the defense to Diego Godiín at the corner of the six-yard box. Godiín went up over his marker and headed the ball past a frozen Jordi Cordina to put the league leaders ahead 1-0.
Thibaut Courtois -- he's pretty great -- kept Atléti's 1-0 lead in tact with a point-blank save on Juan Rodríguez in the 54th minute. Juan Rodríguez got in front of his marker at the near post, and directed Pedro León's corner on frame with a sharp header. Courtois was in the right spot though, getting his hands up quickly and blocking the shot away.
Getafe's dreams of getting back took a blow in 65th minute when Ángel Lafita appeared to pull Diego Costa to the ground inside the box, earning a penalty for Atléti and straight red for Lafita. Costa stepped up to take the penalty, but his shot was saved by Cordina, who then denied Raúl García as he tried to follow-up on the rebound. The scoreline was unchanged, but Getafe were forced to finish with ten men.
Diego Costa doubled the Atléti lead in the 86th minute but at considerable potential cost to his leg. The striker made a hard run to the far post and was able to get enough boot on Adrian’s cross to poke the ball into the empty net. In the process, Costa’s leg slammed into the post, making contact on his shin, just below the knee. He stayed down for several minutes before being stretchered off, but there was no type of brace or cover put on his leg.
Getafe: Cordina, Alexis, Lago (Sammir 80’), Arroyo, Lopez, Lafita, León, Castro (Colunga 58’), Rodríguez, Mosquera (Lacen 68’), Marica
Goals: None.
Atlético Madrid: Courtois, Juanfran, Godín, Miranda, Luis, Suárez, Koke, García (Diego Rabas 71’), Gabi, Villa (López 62’), Costa (Rodríguez 86’)
Goals: Godīn (40’), Costa (85’)
See More:
