He is the player with the most minutes of the squad (3,120) ahead of Oblak. After the match against Espanyol, as he has done several times this season, he claimed concentration in the first half
Saúl Ñíguez celebrates his goal against Espanyol.
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Chronicle.
Atletico does not give to win the colista
In this Atlético, there are several issues that for Simeone do not allow negotiation. One is Jan Oblak, of course, who, after frightening a flu process, climbed to the squad of his goal at the RCDE Stadium to divert a poisoned projectile from Víctor Sánchez. The other is Saúl Ñíguez, the versatile midfielder who rescued a point in Cornellà, adding another piece of art to his lustrous video library. His left-handed alternates delicate touches with violent blows like the one he hooked before Espanyol, despite Diego López's stretch. His volley resulted in a bittersweet point in front of the colist.
“The first part we entered as we had to enter and in the second was the opposite, we drew, we put Espanyol in his field and we had more chances”, he raised his voice to his companions Saul, fourth captain, after Koke, Oblak Y Gimenez. It is not the first nor, if another short circuit is repeated, it will be the last time you release a rapa dust to your companions. He already did it in Valladolid, Leverkusen, León and Eibar, always far from the Wanda Metropolitano, where Atlético has a hard time carburizing.
The boys of Simeone do not know what it is to win outside in 2020. He suffered a loud soup in Copa del Rey, in front of the Leonesa Cultural; slipped on Ipurua and the Bernabéu; it matched in Mestalla and yesterday, before the colista, it only scratched a point thanks to Saul's shoe. “It is costing us a lot this year and there is less time left,” the player urged. Atlético's last victory away from Madrid took place at Benito Villamarín, against Betis (1-2). It was the last time Morata He scored in LaLiga.
Only missed in Granada
This season, the only thing that has been with him have been the cards. He had to be absent in Pomegranate by yellow accumulation and not a minute more has been lost. Simeone would change his tie before removing him from the field. It has never been replaced and therefore adds more minutes than anyone on the roster: 3,210. Only Jan Oblak (3,156) squeezes him. “He can play anywhere, and that makes him different,” his coach often repeats, who occasionally turns to him when something fails on the left side. For him Cholo, as that famous American series says, always: 'Better call Saul'.
After his decisive goal against Liverpool, which drove the European champion to the knee, his left-footed shot came in Cornellà. Another one of those works of art that decorate his long service sheet. So many unforgettable for the rojiblanco fan like that volley in the final of the 2018 European Super Cup. The Chilean in her first derby against Madrid (2015). The Slalon versus Bayern of Guardiola (2016). Or the beautiful redeeming blow against Bayer Leverkusen, in 2017. Saul, with a contract until 2026 and almost 300 games with Atlético, still has time and age (25) to continue brightening his history.
After beating Diego Lopez, he kissed again the red and white bandage that decorates his right hand in each match since 2016. An injury forced him to wear it and now, by simple superstition, he tightly tackles it before playing a game. The same happens with Atlético or with the national team. The first thing is his club, although he does not lose sight of the imminent Eurocup.
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