ATLETICO MADRID SCORED twice in the final 12 minutes to rescue a point against La Liga new-boys Girona after a dramatic battle in Catalonia.
Diego Simeone’s side were caught by the side competing in the top-flight for the very first time in their 87-year history and found themselves 2-0 down after a chaotic three-minute spell midway through the opening period.
Former Middlesbrough striker Cristhian Stuani scored two headers to put the minnows in a commanding position.
Having bossed the first-half, their hopes of staging a major upset increased dramatically when Antoine Griezmann was sent-off in bizarre circumstances.
The French international was booked for an alleged dive in the penalty area after clashing with goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz. It looked a debatable call from the official and the attacker protested. But then, Griezmann stepped over the line, said something he shouldn’t have and was immediately shown a second yellow.
It was Griezmann’s first ever red card in 253 games.
Down to 10 men, Atleti rallied and managed to pull a goal back on 78 minutes when Angel Correa thumped home a superb strike from distance.
Then, with five minutes left, Jose Maria Gimenez got to Koke’s excellent free-kick ahead of Iraizoz and finished to the net.
Afterwards, Simeone praised his players’ relentlessness.
“At 2-0 down many people thought game over, even more with 10 players. We never give up. We got a result which looked impossible.”
Meanwhile, Girona boss Pablo Machin gave an interesting take on Atleti’s comeback.
“I’m sure that at half-time Diego Simeone got his balls out.”
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