When Atlético de Madrid visited Getafe for their La Liga clash, it was more than just another game. Sure, they needed the win to stay in the hunt for European spots, and they got it, a gritty 1-0 victory that keeps them fourth in the table. But this Madrid derby has a history, a deep and fascinatingly one-sided story dominated by one man: Diego 'Cholo' Simeone.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Atlético secured a crucial 1-0 victory over Getafe thanks to a late own goal.
- ✓ Cholo Simeone has an astonishing record against Getafe, winning 22 of their 28 encounters.
- ✓ Getafe finally broke their curse against Simeone's side with their first-ever win on March 9 of this year.
- ✓ The historic goal difference is staggering: 57 goals for Atlético versus just 10 for Getafe.
- ✓ A memorable 7-0 victory for Atlético took place on the exact same date, November 23, back in 2013.
A Hard-Fought Victory, Decided by Fate
Let's be honest, the match itself wasn't exactly a classic. It was a proper "partido trabado," as they say in Spain—a tough, grinding affair plagued by fouls and short on clear chances. The first half saw both teams locked in a stalemate, with Simeone's men pushing but failing to find that final, decisive touch. Analysts note that
The second half felt like more of the same. Both sides were searching for a breakthrough, a moment of magic that just wouldn't come. And then, in the most unexpected way possible, it arrived. We should also mention In the 82nd minute, Getafe defender Domingos Duarte, trying to clear the ball from danger, accidentally sent it straight into his own net. You have to feel for the guy, but for Atlético, it was a golden gift.
That single moment secured a crucial 1-0 win on the road. The three points keep them right in the mix, with a solid record of eight wins, four draws, and only one loss in the league so far. With 28 points on the board, they’re exactly where they need to be, but the story of this rivalry goes so much deeper than this one scrappy game.
Simeone's Playground: A History of Unmatched Dominance
For years, a visit from Atlético de Madrid was the stuff of nightmares for Getafe. This wasn't just a tough fixture; it was a near-certain loss. In fact, Getafe is the team that Cholo Simeone has beaten more than any other since he took the helm in late 2011. The numbers are just mind-boggling. In 28 total meetings, Simeone's Atlético has won an incredible 22 times.
It gets even crazier. Recent reports indicate that For the first 19 times these two teams met under Simeone, Getafe didn't score a single goal. Not one. The "maldición del Coliseum" wasn't just a catchy phrase; it was a painful reality for the home fans. This was Atlético's favorite hunting ground, a place where three points were almost a guarantee.
This history is littered with memorable thrashings that Atlético fans still talk about. This brings us to Coincidentally, the most famous one happened on November 23, 2013—the exact same date as this recent fixture. On that day, legends like Raúl García, David Villa, and Diego Costa ran rampant in a spectacular 7-0 demolition at the old Vicente Calderón. A notable point here is That match was a cornerstone of their historic La Liga-winning season, a symbol of the project Simeone was building.
The Day the Nightmare Ended
But here's the thing about football: no streak lasts forever. The "rival fetiche," as Getafe was known, started to fight back. The fear began to fade. And on March 9th of this year, the unthinkable happened. For the first time ever, Getafe beat a Cholo Simeone-led Atlético de Madrid, and they did it in the most dramatic fashion imaginable.
It all seemed to be going to script for Atlético. They were ahead thanks to a penalty from Alexander Sorloth. But then, in the 88th minute, Ángel Correa saw a straight red card, and the game was turned on its head. From the resulting free-kick, Mauro Arambarri equalized. Four minutes later, in the 92nd minute, Arambarri did it again, scoring the winner and sending the Coliseum into pandemonium.
That single defeat had massive consequences. It was the beginning of a "desolador" (devastating) March for Atlético, a month where their title hopes in both La Liga and the Champions League crumbled. Getafe wasn't just a victim anymore; they had become giant-slayers, and that one victory completely changed the psychology of this rivalry.
A Rivalry Rebalanced.
That historic win for Getafe proved that the past doesn't always dictate the future. Looking at just the last five league encounters, the picture is far more balanced: two wins for Atlético, two draws, and that one famous victory for Getafe. Research findings show that The days of guaranteed wins are over. Atlético has had to work for every point, and this latest 1-0 victory was a perfect example of that new reality.
Even Simeone’s home and away records inform a story. While he remains undefeated against Getafe at home (13 wins, 2 draws), the Coliseum is no longer a fortress to be taken for granted. Analysts note that His record there is still fantastic—9 wins, 3 draws, and that 1 loss—but the aura of invincibility has been pierced. This is now a proper contest, a challenge that Simeone and his team have to rise to every single time.
This is why the recent win, secured by a lucky break, felt so important. It was a statement. After the shock of last season's loss, Atlético needed to remind Getafe, and perhaps themselves, that they are still the dominant force in this Madrid derby. They had to once again become the nightmare that haunts the nights of José Bordalás and his team.
Conclusion
So, while the scoreline might just read 1-0, the context behind this victory is immense. Research findings show that It was a gritty, hard-earned three points that carried the weight of a long and lopsided history. A notable point here is For Cholo Simeone, it was about re-establishing order in a rivalry that had recently dared to defy him. While Getafe has proven they no longer fear their old tormentors, Atlético showed they still know how to win, even when the magic isn't there. It was a key victory in their season, but an even more important one in the continuing story of this fascinating Madrid derby.
