Correa's twisted path in Europe: "Not being in Lisbon was hard"

• Champions A handful of old wounds in Munich: the 2016 siege, Suárez, Lucas ...

Chance wanted Ángel Correa (Rosario, Argentina, 1995) to be the protagonist in Atlético's last two lapses in the Champions League.

In March 2019, on the Juventus Stadium table, he committed a candid penalty on

, with time almost consumed, which served as a safe-conduct for

to send them home.

And a couple of months ago, on the eve of the most important duel of the course, his PCR test announced a positive for coronavirus that irrevocably separated him from another tragic night in Lisbon, this time against Leipzig (2-1).

"We had one of the worst games of the season and unfortunately it had to be that day. Losing it was a very hard moment for me. I was very excited to help the team," recalls the small Argentine player in a meeting with various media, including they THE WORLD.

That bump in the Portuguese capital was experienced from Madrid.

There he completed his quarantine, trusting that, if he tested negative in another test, he could still help his teammates in the fight for the Champions League.

That desire vanished with

goal

for Leipzig, already in the twilight.

Since he joined Atlético (2015), he has only missed two games due to physical problems.

The one mentioned against the German team and another, against

, in the group stage of the Champions League 15/16, when their presence in the 11 of Simeone was still residual.

"Thanks to Simeone and the entire coaching staff I have grown and continue to grow a lot. Not only in football but also as a person. That is something very important to me," he admits to this newspaper.

Correa has felt the departure of Thomas Partey quite a bit, as unexpected and, above all, because of the personal relationship: "He has been a great colleague and friend."

But in his case, right now his sports priorities are very clear.

The memory of that heart operation in New York is always present, because the rojiblanco club never lost faith in him.

"Playing at Atlético is the best and you have to enjoy it every day. That of leaving is more personal, with what the player feels at that time. Here you have practically everything," he emphasizes.

Yesterday, just before training, I took one last look at the soulless Allianz Arena in Munich, which will look the same tonight (9pm).

He had to suffer from that unforgettable siege from the bench, in the semifinals of 2016, but he had the opportunity to perceive the punch of the Bavarian fans months later, in the group stage of the next edition.

Simeone turned to him during the last half hour of the game, replacing his compatriot

, in search of a draw that never came.

It did not matter because Atlético, who had once again knocked down Bayern at the Calderón, was already classified for the second round.

"I have grown a lot in these years"

So far, Correa's relationship with the Champions League has not been too fluid.

And that he only needed 23 minutes to score his first goal.

It was at home, against

(2015).

However, that illuminated night ended in darkness due to defeat.

Since then, 36 games later, he has not seen the door again.

And he has only been seen with two assists, both to his former teammate Griezmann.

Those numbers would not attract much attention, if it were not because since he arrived at Atlético he has added

in 236 games.

But that to Ángel, used to always looking ahead, does not worry him excessively either: "I have grown a lot. I also notice it on the field of play. As the games go by, I think I have improved and I still have to improve. That's why I try to keep learning in each training session. "

Tonight, in front of the champion, he will surely have minutes.

Simeone always has him in mind.

In a way, it is her angel.

He could have left in the summer of 2019, but there he is.

"We have a lot of affection for Correa, he would never be forced to leave," they repeat at the club.

With a contract until

and a

, it is one of the safest values ​​of the Cholo.

That is why he is among the nine players who have played the most games since he arrived.

"I will always be grateful," ditch Correa.

Time to think about Bayern.

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