In troubled times, it is best to pull classics. That is, a precise lateral center and a robust head that completes the matter. The shipment, tempered, was from Lodi and the auction, lethal, from Morata. His premiere scorer in Champions as rojiblanco. That's how Atlético solved a rough late night against Bayer Leverkusen, which never looked too good. A small blow in Germany may be enough to be in eighths. [Narration and statistics]

Because of the fine rain, because of the cold or because, simply, Atlético is at a time when it is difficult to start or stay alive throughout the game, for whatever it was, the red and whites, no matter how hard they tried, never arrived to be comfortable in the first act. As if the shirt tightened more than the bill. And something like that could happen to Simeone when he saw Giménez lying on the floor within a quarter of an hour. His injury, along with which Savic brought his adventure with the national team, allowed to see all the new defense in action. With the entry of Hermoso, they would have to face the courageous German boys, aware of their coach that there is only one way to attack and it is always at full speed. Oblak , however, was not too scared of those lightning bolts, because there was hardly any thunder behind. It is possible that Volland , one of the two points, still remembers that triple stop of the Slovenian in 2017, with everything to score in the Calderón. That was another story.

Simeone changed third and left tridents (in part, forced by Joao Felix's injury). The tight schedule and Correa, which was seen in Italy during much of the summer, was presented as a starter in the Champions League alongside Diego Costa. A toast to the classics that also served to scare away evil spirits in front of the enemy's goal. A focused whip of the Argentine was the only thing that Atlético could throw into his mouth. Héctor Herrera , who also premiered in Europe as a starter, tried to put some sanity, desire and energy with Thomas , this time somewhat out of tune. But neither Atlético never felt at home nor Leverkusen as a stranger. The rojiblancos, far from stealing up, were forced to return on their steps with every German spark. Bayer players were like piranhas for athletic core.

Coast, without aim

As usual, Diego Costa never found himself. Although at least he recovered part of that warrior spirit that seemed to have evaporated. At any other time in his career, he would have knocked down the goal of Hradecky (even taking the goalkeeper himself ahead) with the delicate center of Trippier. But Costa is in full search of his muses and his head ended up becoming a sort of involuntary clearing.

Simeone had only Morata's letter left. And that was the one that managed to break the board, when the Metropolitan shook the most. His friend Koke, off, left his place in the middle of a division of opinions in the stands. Atletico did not need to invent anything. It is not in the time of frills. It was enough with a center of Lodi , one of those high precision shipments by those who called him to fill the emptiness of Filipe Luis . And it was enough, most importantly, that Morata, still fresh, pointed where he should. This is how the rojiblancos broke their strange curse at home (they had not won since September 1) and left their pass to the second round. In troubled times, it is the only thing that matters.

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