Zaragoza achieved the three points in the match played at Vicente Calderon Stadium, an excessive reward according to what we saw at the field of the red and white stadium. In front an Atletico that played and assumed the initiative during a great part of the match, Zaragoza found the victory in an isolated action few minutes left to the end of the match.

Javier Aguirre recovered the wings to play the match against Zaragoza with the inclusion of Victor Bravo and Galletti in the starting team. The red and white players started the match with clear ideas, touching the ball in the midfield, looking depth at the wings and at the shakes off by Fernando Torres. At 15’ the captain made at the right side the first good chance for the locals, sending a precise center to Luccin. The French headed diving, but he didn’t hit it well to send the ball at the bottom of the net.

In spite of exhibiting good arguments in the pressure, in the construction and in the mobility of the ball, the red and white team didn’t achieve getting close with danger to Cesar’s area, bumping into Zaragoza’s defense actions again and again. Meanwhile, the visitors hardly touch the ball and Atletico had the possession, although without making any danger. The one who did it was the debutant Victor Bravo when he tried to surprise the goalkeeper with a far shot that left touching the goalpost.

We had to wait to 42’ to see a new occasion for the locals. It was Galletti who had in his hands the way to open the scoreboard when, alone against the goalkeeper, he made an accurate header that Cesar sent to corner ‘in extremis’. It didn’t happen much more at the first half, since then a match in which Atletico monopolized the possession and the offensive game while its rival seemed they were satisfied with a tie.

After the break Zaragoza increased their rhythm, while Atletico went decreased it. At the second half the visitants had the first opportunities, with actions by Sergio, Ewerton, Diego Milito and Lafita. None of them ended at Leo Franco’s net, although it was useful to demonstrate that Zaragoza had assumed the initiative of the game.

Aguirre decided to enter Costinha instead of Jurado. The Andalusian player made the clearest occasion for Atletico at the second half, when he executed a superb foul kick that Cesar stopped it with a good intervention. Shortly after was ‘Kun’ Agüero the one who substituted Victor Bravo with the aim of refreshing the offensive ideas of the red and white team.

Far away to overcome the command of the match, the red and white where step by step giving up against the improvement of its rival and each time it was more difficult to make danger at the rival’s area. The chronometer was running to the end of the time, and the 0-tie seemed to be the final result until Oscar took advantage of a defensive mistake of the red and white team and scored with a header from a pass by Milito the first and the last goal of the match. A gold goal that was useful to Zaragoza to obtain the three points in the match at Vicente Calderon Stadium.


Technical data:

Atletico Madrid: Leo Franco; Seitaridis (Valera, 88’), Pablo, Perea, Antonio Lopez; Costinha (Jurado, 60’), Luccin, Maniche, Victor Bravo (Agüero, 69’); Galletti and Fernando Torres.

Zaragoza: Cesar Sanchez; Diogo, Gaby Milito, Sergio, Juanfran; Movilla, Zapater, Lafita (Ponzio 80'), D’Alessandro (Oscar, 82’); Ewerthon (Sergio Garcia, 66’) and Diego Milito.

Referee: Muñiz Fernandez (Asturian College). For Atletico Madrid showed yellow card to Aguero (91’); For Zaragoza were warning Diogo (29’), D’ Alessandro (40’), Gaby Milito (73’) and Zapater (81’).

Goals:

0-1 (87’). Oscar beats Leo Franco with a header from a pass by Diego Milito.


Photo: www.clubatleticodemadrid.com