Noisy neighbours Legans give Atltico blues to take back corner of Madrid

The small club from cucumber nation south of the capital, where the majority of people support Real or Atltico, are the only side in La Liga not to have actually allowed an objective. Ever

B utarque was blue, much like their supervisor desired and similar to their captains hair. I hope they use Legans t-shirts and just Legans t-shirts, without any one elses below, Asier Garitano stated, and they did. Resting on a hill, circled around by freeways, the ground had actually been done up and filled for its very first match of a brand-new season: the very first of a brand-new period that still had something of the old about it. Under the stands was the odor of bacon, prepared on an outdoor camping range; in the stands were 10,958 individuals, more than had actually ever been here until. They were dressed for the event and maximizing it. Scarfs, flags, banners. And blue, great deals of blue.

This is Butarque and just Lega play here, the motto runs, held up around a local arena that is their house and theirs alone. On Saturday night it wasnt just Lega playing there, it was Atltico Madrid. And heres the important things: for much of them, Atltico Madrid are their group too. For others, Real Madrid are. A town of 185,000, 11 kilometres south of the capital, where there are streets called after AC/DC and Scorpions, surrounded by cucumber-growing nation, retail parks, towns not unlike theirs, and great deals of vehicles, Legans had never ever had a group in the very first department prior to and they had actually never ever anticipated to either.

This, coach Garitano confesses, is unbelievable, unimaginable.

In their 88-year history, Club Deportivo Legans hadnt remained in the very first department and hadnt remained in the 2nd much, arriving for the very first time in 1987: theyd invested longer in local, and spread out the last 40 years throughout tercera and segunda b, the previous comprised of 18 local departments, the latter comprised of 4, and both in theory amateur. Historically, their competition was with Getafe however even they left Legans behind : when the derby happened it protested Getafes B group. It is just 3 years given that Legans were last in segunda b when they were promoted to segunda in 2014, it was the very first time theyd existed in a years. They werent the most significant group in either department their spending plan in 2015 was 4.5 m euros and now theyre the tiniest in primera.

The day Garitano took control of as supervisor in 2013, there was no training ground and a pitch loaded with pits. We had 7 gamers and I didnt desire 3 of them, he confesses. He had actually never ever remained in the very first department, either. The club was reorganizing under brand-new ownership, taken control of by Felipe Moreno Romero in 2009. The president is his better half Mara Victoria Pavn among 3 females presidents in primera and while they invested around 3m, austerity was the word. With their child Felipe as sporting director, they started constructing; with Garitano, they grew. 2 unlikely promos in 3 years followed.

Reaching the very first department wasnt even a target. There was no responsibility, and no pressure, which may simply have actually belonged to the factor for their success. We enjoyed in the 2nd department, Garitano confesses. They didnt settle for that: having actually completed 10th in 2014-15, more than a lots brand-new gamers signed up with last season. They won just 2 of their very first 12 video games however then the run started. Until the last video game, their captain collected the team together, and checking out the speech he had actually prepared off an iPad in the corner of the dressing space as they stood in a circle, eyes closed, arms around each others shoulders, informed them: This is your heart speaking if you lose, youll still be the very best; if you win youll be historical.

They did win: Pablo Insuas header at Mirands took them up. Therefore here they goned on Saturday night, a very first department group. Much better still, they had actually won their opening match 1-0 at Celta de Vigo and now they were dealing with Atltico, some fans pushed into an option they never ever anticipated to need to make, a step of simply how far they had actually come.

It was no option, naturally. There were a couple of telltale indications the guy in the Legans t-shirt with the Atltico tattoo there was no ambiguity. Garitano got his method: how could he not on a night like this?

Besides, as last season advanced theyd backed their group too, playing a crucial function. Legans was little however it was loud. They werent going to miss this and nor were they going to question. They had actually offered 8,800 season tickets, the optimum in a ground that does not rather hold 11,000 having actually been broadened from 8,200 (the goal is to broaden it still better, to 15,000). This is a season to take pleasure in and one to embed the club in its neighborhood, to raise it above its huge neighbours, in your area a minimum of a lesson in part found out by Getafes failure to do the exact same, falling once again a years later on without truly constructing that base.

There were 500 Atltico fans in one corner however all over else was blue, countless striped t-shirts like the stands had actually been filled with deckchairs. Proud, one banner read. Do not awaken; the dream continues, stated another. When Garitano silently strolled in a number of hours until kick-off, a rucksack on his back, he chose his method through a crowd that had actually pertained to see the buses show up, Atlticos particularly evidence in some way that they had actually made it. As he went through Gate 0, there was a belated and mild ripple of applause, as if hed been hardly observed, however by the time he and his group strolled on to the pitch after 10pm it was various. A celebration and an unique one. In the stands was an inflatable cucumber. In the Atltico dressing space was a basket of genuine ones as assured, a present from Legans.

That was all they provided. Atltico came, however they might not discover a method through. Kvin Gameiro struck broad, Antoine Griezmann too, however mainly Atltico struck a wall. Jon Serantes made 3 outstanding conserves; ahead of him, his team-mates made deal with after take on. And whenever they did, there was another holler, a connection developed, like a cup video game where one set of fans understands exactly what the truth is however rebels versus it, where every difficulty is a relief, vindication, a triumph. This is an arena where even the person selling tickets protects, AS composed. And as time went on so the probability that they would not be beaten grew; from 4 at the back to 5, the opportunities lowered. It seemed like, in fact, Legans had this under control. Or perhaps for the pessimists amongst them and a banner at one end did state them paranoid that a terrible end may be coming closer.

But it didnt; rather, history beckoned. It completed 0-0.

We didnt take a crack at and we didnt trigger them issues. We need to enhance significantly. We did not play well at all, Garitano firmly insisted. Griezmann asserted that if Atltico bring on playing like this they will be combating to prevent transfer, while a depressed-looking, tired team-mate of his simply rolled his eyes when he was asked if Legans were truly that great. The message was clear: no, we were that bad.

Perhaps, and there will be a fight ahead it will be Legans, not Atltico battling transfer, they will still look for additions in the next 2 days, and the restrictions are clear however on Saturday night, couple of truly cared and nor ought to they. They had actually sustained however this was a minute to be taken pleasure in. Legans Legans! had actually done it. They had actually reached the 2nd department, they had actually reached the very first department, they had actually beaten Celta, and now they had actually just gone and held Atltico Madrid, European runners-up. And Garitano was crucial, sure, however they might suggest that they deserved this. In the dressing space is an indication: If youre sitting here, it is since you wish to do something fantastic, it states.

There was benefit in it, definitely, which was acknowledged at the last whistle. They had not slow down and nor had the sound. The fans shouted and sang and accompanied every action. It increased with each deal with, interception and run, up until in the eleventh hour Martn Mantovani dived to head away a corner at the near post and bring the opening efficiency to a close, simply after midnight. They had actually emerged equivalent. Eighty-eight years later on, here they were, unbeaten. Tape breakers, too. One win, one draw, 2 video games no objectives yielded something no debutant in Spain has actually provided for 87 years. They are the only side in the very first department not to have actually allowed an objective.

Ever.

No marvel there was a seem like thunder when Mantovani dived to head away the last danger; no surprise he firmly insisted: This tastes like splendor.

Somehow, it needed to be him: the male who had actually goned on the point of quiting on the video game at 21; who left his research studies as a food security inspector to come to Spain and sign up with Atlticos youth system together with Koke and David de Gea, yet still didnt make it to the 2nd department expert football till he was 30; who slept rough in Milan the night he gettinged the passport that enabled him to play, covering himself in cardboard boxes to mix in with others investing that night in the bus station; who signed up with Legans from Real Oviedo in 2013 and made this journey with them, the journey of their lives, winning 2 promos.

Mantovani is among just 3 gamers staying from those days, the Legans captain who happily informed team-mates that they would make history prior to the video game in Miranda and whose speech prior to their very first primera match concluded: Were here to enjoy ourselves, lads however I enjoy myself winning. He is the male whose speech on Saturday night, provided as advocates showed up, firmly insisted: never ever stop thinking. The guy who guaranteed to color his hair if they got promo in 2014 and stated the exact same once again in 2016; who did it completely this time since his daddy stated that last time, a three-day task, didnt count.

Which is why the really last final touch in Leganss initial house video game in the leading flight, welcomed by the sound of the night, the greatest joy in their history, was booked for Martn Mantovanis head, blue as Butarque.

Talking points

And top of the table are Las Palmas. Its the very first time they have actually been there for 27 years and they will be there for a minimum of a fortnight too as today is global break (without Iker Casillas for the very first time in 16 years). They deserve it. Much like viewing Brazil. Just much better. Thats 2 triumph of 2, and 9 objectives scored. Thats 9 objectives in 2 video games, when in 2014 it took them till December to obtain as numerous. That Quique Setin is a genius, alright. Im enjoying this however we have not done anything yet, he stated.

He was right on both counts: its early still however everybody is enjoying this. Las Palmas have actually scored 9 times with just eleven shots on target this season, 5 from 5 on Sunday, however that does not make them fortunate (although Valencia were really respectable in the opening video game versus them); it is more that they aren’t losing possibilities due to the fact that the opportunities they make are so clear. Theyre nearly strolling the ball in. Versus Granada, their accuracy and rate on the break was terrific, led by Nabil El Zhar and Jonathan Viera and oh, exactly what the hell, they were all quite fantastic.

Las Palmass finest gamer was Paco Jmez. Thats what Paco Jmez states, anyhow. The Granada supervisor blamed himself because somewhat pleading tell-me-Im-good-really manner in which he is in some cases vulnerable to doing and which is using a little thin. Granada, it holds true, were terrible.

From 40 objectives in the opening weekend to simply 17 in week 2. Blame Sevilla, who went from 10 to absolutely no with a 0-0 draw versus Villarreal. And they must be grateful for that too. Their finest gamer was Sergio Rico, the goalkeeper, and they didnt handle a single shot on target. Not so enjoyable. Not this time.

Has dadila Festa the banner stated: let the celebration start. Mendizorrotza looked great for Alavss very first video game back for a years therefore, on the pitch, did Theo Hernndez and Marcos Llorente however, like Legans, it completed 0-0. And like Legans, Alavs held Atltico naturally . Thats 2 video games unbeaten for them.

So, Griezmann. , if we bring on like this well be battling not to go down.. It was rather this wasnt however an overestimation excellent, thats for sure. And Atltico Madrid are currently 4 points behind Madrid and Barcelona having actually played 2 newly-promoted groups. The very same wasnt rather so real at Butarque even if they squandered 3 or 4 good possibilities if on the opening weekend Atltico might count themselves unfortunate. The search one gamers deal with after the video game stated all of it. Did his silence. This felt systemic, not simply a one-off. It did to him, anyhow. And he plainly wasnt alone. As one heading, using the Legans horticultural style, put it: Atletico do not play a cucumber. They do not play any football at all, simply puts.

Oh, Valencia. Oh my. They have all their centre-backs up for sale, have actually offered the just one that wasnt for sale, and their striker gones on his escape. And now they sit bottom of the table today. What can fail, will fail it appears: they must have beaten Eibar quickly and really played rather well sometimes, as held true on the opening day, however terrible safeguarding and even worse completing saw them lose 1-0 at Ipurua to a Pedro Len charge. For the very first time in 17 years, Valencia have actually lost their very first 2 league video games.

With Barcelona, all you get to pick is how they beat you, Athletic Club Bilbao supervisor Ernesto Valverde stated. Thats not completely real and shouldnt be taken as an abdication of task: his group took the Super Cup off Barcelona last season, for a start, and Athletic pressed them right back on Sunday, taking them to the wire. In the end, however, an Ivan Rakitic header sufficed in an outstanding video game, played in the rain the method footballs expected to be and where both groups played effectively. It was a extremely praiseworthy and essential success, Luis Enrique stated and he was. It may have been a larger one too, however for possibilities squandered by Lionel Messi, Arda Turan and Luis Surez. It may likewise have actually been no success at all.

Athletic pushed so high that Barcelona were required to play from really deep, the pitch sensation as long as anybody might keep in mind. Barcelona prevented the temptation to simply strike the ball forward, however, in spite of being put under a lot pressure. They appeared to welcome the concept, emerging however strolling a tightrope on the other side, running and getting rid of the very first wave into the area behind until satisfying the next line of Athletic gamers 40 or 50 lawns even more on. It was practically as if they welcomed problem which they did sometimes as a method of, in reality, welcoming chance. If they desired to play a counter-attacking video game with ownership, as. Whose design it was is open to argument: both of theirs, most likely. Maybe the very best step of how it went was that Marc- Andr ter Stegen finished more passes than any objective keeper in a years and provoked more cardiac arrest too.

Toni Kroos got an elegant 81st-minute winner as Real Madrid beat an excellent Celta side, the ball curling throughout the flooring like a bowling ball down a lane and entering off the post. Oh, and speaking of class: Luka Modric.

Doctor Diego Cervero Otero: he ratings objectives.

Results

Betis 0 0 Deportivo

Espanyol 2 2 Mlaga

Osasuna 0 2 Real Sociedad

Eibar 1 0 Valencia

Real Madrid 2 1 Celta

Legans 0 0 Atltico

Las Palmas 5 1 Granada

Alavs 0 0 Sporting

Athletic 0 1 Barcelona

Villarreal 0 0 Sevilla

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2016/aug/29/noisy-neighours-leganes-atletico-madrid-real