The hands penalize Atlético

The 4-3 covered almost everything, but Atlético had gotten into a mess against Getafe because of two penalties committed in just over five minutes. And the two were similar: center from the band and the hand of an ‘rojiblanco’ player. And it is a problem that goes back a long way. The rojiblancos carry six penalties against in this League (the 4th team that most) and five of them have been by hands. Another issue to correct.

In minute 36, Arambarri takes a corner and the ball ends up hitting Cunha’s arm after touching him on the thigh. At 40′, a delivery from the right by Óscar hits Lemar’s hand, which is turned to cover it. From 2-1 to 2-3 in a few minutes and with two approaches without apparent danger. And so worries in the rojiblanco coaching staff. Everyone in the locker room is aware of the rigor with which some of these actions are ordered and that can be very expensive, because now Atleti has nothing left over.

On the first day (Celta-Atlético) it was Llorente who committed a penalty. Aspas finished with a volley and the ball, after hitting the chest of 14, settled in his arms. Penalty (after seeing it in the VAR) and 1-1, although later Correa made it 1-2. It was worse on day 11, at Levante’s house, the next rival. Griezmann made it 0-1 and, after half an hour, Suarez brought down Vezo in an attempt to clear the area. Bardhi did not spare the gift. Cunha scored in the second half and, in the 83rd minute, the key play came: Morales crossed, Dani Gómez finished off badly upwards and the ball brushed Lodi’s hand. No one protested it on the field, but two and a half minutes later, after a VAR review, González Fuertes awarded the second penalty that led to Bardhi’s double and that Atleti was left without a win.

In The ceramic was another hand in the area, the first of Lemar before Saturday’s. Alberto Moreno centers from the front and the Frenchman —also turned— covers it with both arms. The referee saw a penalty and, this time yes, Oblak showed off and stopped Gerard Moreno’s shot. It is the only one of the eight penalties that have been taken this season that have not ended in a goal.

Eight penalties against

Because in addition to these six maximum sentences, there were another two in Champions. And in these cases, both carry the signature of Mario Hermoso, the hero of the last appointment in the Metropolitan. At home, against Liverpool and with 2-2 on the scoreboard, the center-back knocked down Diogo Jota in the area, Salah scored and Atleti lost 2-3. The one on the last day, in Porto, hurt less. The team was already winning 0-3 and Hermoso tripped (very rigorously) Evanilson and Oliveira made it 1-3. After eight penalties, Atlético is on notice: be very careful in the areas and, especially, with your hands.