There were grotesque moments at Calderon. That's how we could summarize the match that last night faced Atletico and Seville, vital for the aspirations of both teams on the fight for a place in Europe. During the match a lot of things happened, but the hangover leaves a defeat of Atletico (0-1) and three gold-points inside the Seville’s bag.

Until 75’ everything lapsed with normality, Seville was winning thanks to a polemic goal by Puerta, although the scoreboard could have been higher if it wouldn’t be for Leo Franco, with no doubt the hero of the night, who saved two penalties. After Seville’s goal, supporters indignation was translated in launching of objects and the referee opted to suspend the game, renewing it 30 minutes later. Atletico ended the match with eight players after the expulsions of Luccin, Petrov and Perea, and Pepe Murcia will have difficulties to configure the first-team that will play at Cadiz next Sunday.

At the start of the match anything predicted its strange ending. Atletico was overturned to the offense and kept besieged Palop’s area along the first minutes. The team arrived with clarity and judgement at Sevilla's area, and they even enjoyed a couple of chances that certainly could give advantage to the red-and-whites, one of them thanks to a run of Fernando Torres by the right side, but the shot by Manu del Moral went out rubbing the crossbar. The goal seemed to be a matter of time, but the surprise arrived when the referee pointed out at 15' a nonexistent penalty that Leo Franco stopped masterly.

Seville still had another chance to score from the penalty point, the one that Ayza Gamez indicated after a doubtful hand by Antonio Lopez. First was Kanoute, and this time Saviola was in charge of shootting the penalty, and once again Leo Franco guessed the intention and saved the goal of his fellow countryman. Before half-time Atletico also saw close the goal in a foul-kick by Antonio Lopez that left touching the crossbar.

Watching what happened during the first half, seemed impossible for Atletico to lost the match in the second half. So, at the start of the second half the opportunities were for the two teams, two for Atletico, two for Seville, but none broke the tie. At 72’ the balance was tipped in favour of Seville when Peter Luccin was sent off for double caution. With the French out, impeccable and worker during all the match, the red-and-white presence decreased at the midfield. Seville knew how to take advantage of the numeric superiority and he was ahead in the scoreboard thanks to a goal by Puerta in a position of doubtful legality. The doubt increased when the linesman lifted the pennant and he was corrected by the referee who denied the linesman saying that the goal pass came from a red-and-white player.

The situation ended up driving the fans mad, and to the verbal protests were added the fall of some overwhelming objects on the field. With those circumstances, the referee pointed out the way to wardrobes with 15’ to go in the game. 30 minutes later, and in front of an almost empty Vicente Calderon, both teams jumped again to the field to consume the time. Far from disturbing Seville, the red-and-whites suffered two new setbacks, Petrov and Perea saw the red card. Little could do already Atletico, with eight players on the field and in disadvantage at the scoreboard, to try, at least, to tie the match.

Finally, the match finished with a Seville’s victory that puts one more stone on the way of Atletico of Madrid towards Europe, although they still have options that will be confirmed next Sunday at Ramon de Carranza Stadium... In spite that Luccin, Perea and Petrov will be out.


Photo: J. A. Sirvent