Atletico Madrid suffered a 2-1 defeat to Getafe on Sunday, dealing a major blow to their La Liga title hopes.
Diego Simeone’s side, in second place, could have moved to the top with a win following the postponement of Barcelona’s match on Saturday. Atletico seemed on track for the three points when Alexander Sorloth converted a penalty in the 75th minute.
However, Atletico forward Angel Correa was sent off, and Getafe midfielder Mauro Arambarri scored two late goals to secure victory for the hosts.
Later on Sunday, defending champions Real Madrid, in third place, will host Rayo Vallecano. A win would see them level on points with Barcelona.
“The truth is after we scored the goal we knew they were going to push forward… with the sending off, a man down, the game got away from us,” Atletico midfielder Pablo Barrios told DAZN.
“We were being patient because we knew sooner or later the goal was going to come, and it did, but then we pulled back and with the red card we didn’t know how to keep control.”
Simeone picked a strong side despite the Champions League last 16 second leg clash against Real Madrid on Wednesday on the horizon.
However Getafe set out to frustrate the visitors and neither team was able to trouble the other significantly in the first half.
“The game offered nothing, it was not a nice match to watch,” admitted Simeone.
The Atletico coach’s son Giuliano Simeone probed down the right and was his team’s most threatening player.
Getafe came closest to opening the scoring when Christantus Uche directed a header straight at Jan Oblak, when well placed to score.
Atletico midfielder Rodrigo de Paul suffered a knock in the first half and was taken off at half-time with the Champions League in mind.
Clement Lenglet also suffered a problem in the warm-up and was switched for Jose Gimenez in the starting line-up.
“They both have different discomforts, we’ll see if they’re ready for Wednesday’s game and if not, they’ll be ready for (the one after that),” said Simeone.
Atletico’s coach substituted Julian Alvarez for Alexander Sorloth, and it was the Norwegian who broke the deadlock, converting a penalty after Omar Alderete handled the ball.
Sorloth slotted in his 10th league goal of the season, despite starting only nine of his 24 appearances.
– ‘Fought until the end’ –
Atletico seemed comfortable with their lead until striker Correa, another substitute, was sent off for a high tackle on Djene Dakonam in the 87th minute.
Moments later Atletico levelled through Arambarri, who collected a flicked-on free kick and rammed home.
With 10 minutes of stoppage time added on and the wind in their sails, Getafe went for a winner and found one.
Diego Rico’s effort from distance was cleverly diverted home by Uruguay international Arambarri, who was just onside and snatched his team the three points.
“The team fought until the end, using our weapons and even more so after Correa’s sending off, we took the game to their area, and that’s where we had our chances today,” Arambarri told DAZN.