16 October 2006, by Sean Gillen

Atletico ride luck to win again

Atletico Madrid 2-1 Recreativo

Atletico Madrid moved up to third in La Liga after a hugely controversial goal from substitute Sergio Aguero gave them the victory over newly promoted Recreativo at the Vicente Calderon. The Argentine teenager’s blatant handball to score the winning goal with 15 minutes remaining left the visiting side furious, as Atletico came from behind to beat Spain’s oldest club.

Portuguese midfielder Maniche continued in midfield for the home side, while Costinha and Ze Castro continue to be overlooked for the starting eleven, both taking their place on the Atletico bench.

Atletico had some good chances in an even first half, first when Argentine winger Martin Gallettti beat two men on an excellent run, cutting in from the right, before his finish was saved by Lopez Vallejo. Fernando Torres then headed wide from a corner before Aitor failed to convert when picked out at the back post for Recreativo.

Maniche came closest to scoring shortly before half time when the Portuguese’s header from the edge of the area clipped the top of the crossbar, but the sides went into the break with the scoreline goalless.

Substitute Aguero, who came on for the injured Martin Petrov late in the first half, could have given Atletico the lead nine minutes into the second period when the ball broke for him in the penalty area, but his snapshot went narrowly wide.

Penalty controversy

Recreativo took the lead when they were awarded a rather dubious penalty on the hour mark. Viqueira was adjudged to have been brought down by Jose Juarado, and Javi Guerrero scored at the second attempt after Leo Franco saved his initial effort.

The visitors had a much clearer appeal for a penalty turned down before referee Miguel Angel Perez balanced things out by awarding Atletico an equally soft spot kick after Galletti tumbled in the area. Captain Fernando Torres took responsibility for the kick, and the 22-year-old sent Laquiat the wrong way for the equaliser.

The game’s controversial moment arrived with 12 minutes left on the clock. Fernando Torres’ headed flick from a corner found Aguero at the back post, and the summer arrival from Independiente bundled the ball over the line for his second goal for the club. Television replays clearly showed the 18-year-old intentionally push the ball over the line with his hand, but the referee and linesman missed the fault and the goal stood.

Both sides had a man sent off in the final stages, with Bautista for Recreativo and Seitaridis for Atletico both picking up soft second yellow cards for their sides.

Atletico managed to see out the remainder of the game to claim the win, but their joy was soon marred by the news that Bulgarian midfielder Martin Petrov has been ruled out for six months with a knee ligament injury. The blow comes just days after Argentine winger Maxi Rodriguez suffered the same injury, and Los Rojiblancos are now without two of their most influential attacking players for the majority of the season.

Next up for Atletico is a trip to Galicia to play Deportivo next Saturday, for whom Jorge Andrade could make a comeback from his own knee injury.

Altetico Madrid:
Leo Franco, Seitaridis, Antonio Lopez, Perea, Ibanez, Luccin, Maniche, Galletti, Petrov (Aguero, 38), Mista (Jurado, 63), Torres
Yellow Cards: Seitaridis (34 & 86)
Red Cards: Seitaridis (86)

Recreativo:
Lopez Vallejo (Laquiat, 45), Moya, Pablo Amo (Arzo, 70), Mario, Bautista, Carzorla, Jesus Vazquez, Viquiera (Javi Guerrero, 63), Tornovaca, De La Calle, Rosu
Yellow Cards: Bautista (30 & 82), Jesus Vasquez (46), Arzo (85)
Red Cards: Bautista (82)

Goals:
[0-1] Guerrero, 63
[1-1] Torres, 72 (pen)
[2-1] Aguero, 78