• Chronicle: Diego Costa rescues Atlético and ties the Champions

On April 16, soccer was least important. It was disrespectful to talk about it, submerged as the country walked in the middle of the battle against the coronavirus. That day, Health reported 551 deaths, pending the data from Catalonia. But life had to go on, as it has. So, at lunchtime, the Spanish Federation (RFEF) announced that, in case LaLiga could not resume, Atlético was out of the Champions League. The last valid classification was that of March 8. And in it, the rojiblancos were sixth, after Barcelona, ​​Real Madrid, Sevilla, Real Sociedad and Getafe. Watching the evolution of the virus, nobody could assure one hundred percent that the competition could start again. Nor, that if it were to resume, could it be completed. Even that, if completed, as it will finally be, those of Simeone were able to take off and fulfill that obligation, already a healthy habit, which is to go religiously to the Champions League.

At the top of the rojiblanco club, with the Metropolitano offices closed due to the pandemic, the RFEF's decision barely worried. Despite the general uncertainty, there was already a plan with which to resume the competition and seek that indispensable Champions position for the good economic health of the entity. This season, the more than 40 million fixed (not counting the market pool) are even more necessary than usual, due to the pressure of the coronavirus impact. Three months later, and with two games in advance, Diego Costa sealed that ticket to the top European competition for the eighth consecutive season with his shoulder. A routine that has supposed more than 400 million for the athletic coffers since 2013. And just a day after the hype of the Champions showed them an attractive way to the final. Leipzig , one side of the benevolent painting and a whole month to tune the machinery. Maybe a little less, because Simeone will not lower his arms until next Sunday or until Atlético has grabbed the third rung of LaLiga. A simple matter of pride.

In these nine games after the restart, Atlético has changed some of the arguments it showed until that 27th day in which soccer stopped. Hence the acceleration towards a goal that loomed rough back in March. Only Real Madrid has scored more points.

PHYSICAL TRAINING

Simeone throws the ball to his players. JAVIER BARBANCHOREUTERS

Simeone's words before assaulting the Champions League explain the good physical tone of the team in these days of such physical demand: "I think we did a good job in the quarantine. We talked a lot with the players via 'Zoom', working situations of game so that when we go back to training we would find more quickly what we were missing. And a good physical job at home managed with a good rotation of footballers. " The planning of Professor Ortega , questioned during the course by the team's injuries, has allowed the team to start with one more gear than many of its rivals and Cholo to have a sharp bench and a second unit in full swing.

HIGHEST STICK

What was a suffering until the halt, softened in the resumption. The goal of Joao Felix against Sevilla (2-2) closed a discrete record 31 goals in 27 games. An average slightly higher than the target per encounter. From Diego Costa's first goal in San Mamés to the one scored by the striker himself against Betis, Atlético has signed 17 in nine duels. That is, almost two per day. It is true that almost a third of them (five) fell in Pamplona , in a single night. And, also, that the team has never been unmarked, as it happened up to nine times in those previous 27 episodes. Once in three times.

Long streak

Atlético's last defeat dates back to February 1, when Benzema executed the rojiblancos at the Bernabéu . Since then, 16 unbeaten League matches, plus two other Champions League victories against Liverpool . An immaculate sequence that has enhanced in this intense month of competition, with six wins and three draws. A third of the triumphs of the entire course have come in just one month. Its regularity, in addition, has coincided with the irregularity of Getafe and Real Sociedad , which looked like giants in March. Against them they will close the season to try to strike the claw to third place.

THE AWAKENING OF CARRASCO AND LLORENTE

Carrasco fights for a ball against Betis.GABRIEL BOUYSAFP

From going almost unnoticed before the break to becoming two of the keys to the summer takeoff of his team. Marcos Llorente left some detail before his anthological night at Anfield, but nothing like what he has shown since Simeone has converted him to a striker. In these weeks he has signed a goal and four assists. Some determinants such as the one that was worth three points against Levante. Its speed and power have been vital.

In the month and a half before the coronavirus, Carrasco's role was residual. Minutes without luster and an uncertain continuity, since it landed on loan with an option to buy in January. The Belgian has remembered the one who dazzled at Atlético three years ago. A goal and three assists, including the final to Diego Costa, against Betis, to get to the Champions League. To remember his night at Camp Nou , forcing two penalties and leaving rivals by the wayside. His present and his future go through Atlético.

AT LAST, ARIETES WITH SMELL

Diego Costa's shoulder is already part of the history of this season. Just as, if it had not been for the VAR, it could have been the memorable ride by Morata that led to one of the best goals of his career. Between them, always separately, they have scored seven goals. Seven and a half, because Costa was in the mess with which Atlético liquidated Levante. The awakening of their respective scoring instincts has come just in time, finally being decisive. Due to his aim, a good part of the options passes in that express Champions of August.

THE CLASSIC DEFENSIVE SOLIDITY

Stefan Savic (left) fights for a ball. JAVIER BARBANCHOREUTERS

In five of the nine games, Jan Oblak left his door to zero. As has always been the norm in Atlético. In the four duels before the break, he conceded six goals in four afternoons. Those days with less effectiveness behind are going to prevent the Slovenian goal from achieving his fifth consecutive Zamora. And Felipe , untouchable before the pandemic, had little to do with this solidity , because physical problems and lack of form have led him to play only 119 minutes in two games. Even Hermoso, sent off against Betis, has enjoyed more minutes: 206. Between Giménez , absent a good part of the season due to injury, and Savic have borne the weight of the rear.

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