Atlético Madrid’s head coach, Diego Simeone, during the La Liga match against Málaga at the Vicente Calderón. Photograph: Denis Doyle/Getty Images
There was a moment late in the penultimate game of the season last weekend when Atlético Madrid’s assistant coach, Óscar Ortega, began to celebrate the end of the club’s 18-year wait for the league title. It was 1-1 against Málaga at the Vicente Calderón while, 600 kilometres to the north-west, Real Madrid were losing 2-0 at Vigo and, 400 kilometres to the south-east, Barcelona were drawing 0-0 with Elche. The clock was ticking down, Atlético were a goal from glory and, with Real now out of the title race, that goal could come at their game or Barcelona’s.
From somewhere behind the Atlético bench, where fans sat with radios in their ears, came the hint of a cheer. It seemed that Elche had scored. Ortega leapt up in excitement, clenching his fists. And then, slowly, he deflated. Substitutes too had stirred, searching for confirmation. They turned first to each other and then to the fans behind, led by the midfielder Mario Suárez. “Goal?” he asked. From the front row, a supporter slowly, sadly wagged his finger. “No,” he said. Elche had broken away but the shot had flown just over the bar. Atletico Madrid celebrate his victory in the league after drawing with real madrid,r madrid v barcelona,barcelona tickets,barcelona football games;football games in barcelona .real madrid VS atléteco madrid real madrid football tickets 2014,real madrid tickets 2014match real madrid 2014,Atletico Madrid’s coach Diego Simeone celebrates with players after winning the … Martino to announce his resignation after just one season in the job. … It is the first time in 10 years that either Barca or Real Madrid did not win the league and Barca …. Memorable Moments
24/05/2014
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