Simeone Fires Back at Transfer Gossip as Atlético Edge Tense Getafe Scrap
Diego Simeone blasted transfer speculation surrounding Julián Álvarez, Jan Oblak, and Antoine Griezmann ahead of Atlético Madrid's 1-0 La Liga win over Getafe, courtesy of Nahuel Molina's strike. The Colchoneros extended their winning run despite Getafe's fightback post-red card, while Matchday 28 saw Girona thump Athletic Club, Real Oviedo boost survival hopes, and other tight results across the division. Simeone insists his side is competing strong across competitions.
Simeone Fires Back at Transfer Gossip as Atlético Edge Tense Getafe Scrap
Picture this: you're smashing it on the pitch, but the lads in the media are more obsessed with who's packing their bags than your latest masterclass. That's the headache facing Diego Simeone at Atlético Madrid right now. The gaffer let rip in his pre-match briefing ahead of the Getafe clash, shutting down the endless chatter about his star men jumping ship.
Fresh off a 5-2 demolition of Tottenham in the Champions League last-16 first leg – where Julián Álvarez bagged a brace – the Argentine forward faced questions on links to Barcelona, Arsenal, and Chelsea. He dodged a firm 'no' but stressed he's content at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. Add in recent tittle-tattle about Jan Oblak and Antoine Griezmann, and Simeone had heard enough.
"Win against Bruges? It's all about Oblak's big save. Thrash Barca 4-0? Griezmann's off. Belt Spurs 5-2? Álvarez next," he fumed, as reported by PA via ESPN Spain. "We're solid, we're competing, and that's that." Classic Cholo – short, sharp, and straight from the hip.
Colchoneros Grind Out Vital La Liga Win
Come Saturday, Simeone's troops backed up the words with deeds, nicking a 1-0 victory over a plucky, 10-man Getafe to stretch their La Liga winning streak to four. Nahuel Molina fired them ahead early doors, and that proved enough despite the visitors' spirited push.
Getafe, flying with four wins in five league games and sat ninth, gave Atleti a proper fright. Abdelkabir Abqar saw red in the second half after tangling with Alexander Sørloth, but the Azulones couldn't claw back. It's Atleti's fifth win in six across all comps, one foot in the Champions League quarters, though they're still playing catch-up in La Liga – nine points off Real Madrid, 13 behind leaders Barcelona.
As per match reports from Football Espana on OneFootball, the Metropolitano hasn't seen a Getafe win since May 2010. Simeone will take the three points, but he'll know they rode their luck against José Bordalás' battlers.
La Liga Roundup: Girona Stun, Oviedo Fight On
Matchday 28 served up a belter across Spain's top flight, with the big guns like Barça (thumping Sevilla) and Real Madrid (easing past Elche) doing their thing. But the mid-table madness kept us hooked.
Girona carved up Athletic Club 3-0 at Montilivi – Hugo Rincón struck first, then late strikes from Azzedine Ounahi and Claudio Echeverri iced it. Real Oviedo, scrapping relegation, nicked 1-0 at home to Valencia via David Costas – now just seven points from safety ahead of a cracker with Levante.
Mallorca pulled off a Son Moix comeback, 2-1 over 10-man Espanyol – Charles Pickel scored then got his marching orders, paving the way for Pablo Torre and Samu Costa. Real Betis and Celta Vigo shared the spoils 1-1 at La Cartuja; Ferran Jutgla stunned early, Héctor Bellerín levelled.
Finally, Real Sociedad kept their top-five push rolling with a 3-1 breeze past Osasuna – Mikel Oyarzabal from the spot, brace from Gonçalo Guedes, consolation from Víctor Muñoz.
Atleti march on amid the noise, but Simeone's message is clear: focus on the footy, not the rumours. With Champions League glory beckoning and La Liga gaps to close, the Cholo era rolls on – transfers be damned. What's your take, lads? Pint's on me if Simeone keeps this lot together.