The noise of the metropolitano. Diego Simeone’s celebrations. It was not a goal but the reaction to Conor Gallagher’s full obstacles, Conor Gallagher’s back victories, Atletico Madrid’s 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao served as a reminder of his important role in the Spanish capital.
Now with the nickname ‘El Pitbull’ for his bold noise of opposition defenders and the ability to quickly cover the ground, England International is a perfect fit for El Cholo’s Atletico and is helping to promote the team’s challenge intensity on three fronts.
This high octane printing will be known to Chelsea supporters. This will be its versatility and adaptability.
Those viral solutions – which helped secure a victory that bears the Laliga Atletico Madrid title offer on the right track – were from a left midfield position.
Previously, in a 4-4 piece del Rey draw of the first leg in Barcelona, Gallagher had played more conservatively on that side, helping to double in Lamine Yamal. Prior to that, he was contributing an assist in the middle of the field against Valencia.
In Chelsea last season, he was used a holding midfielder, part of a double pivot, as a front -leg press further in the field and even as a nine fake. Its position changes in Atletico have been instead of this horizontal, with a successful left impact on Paris St-Germain Proof Gallagher can still contribute outside his favorite central role.
England’s international has bought Ethos in Atletico. The comprehensive culture of one, one for all, built by Simeone. He may not start any match and he can be used in different positions, but it is clear that he has the confidence of Simeone to have an impact from the first whistle or as a substitute.
This is especially visible at home, where Gallagher became the first Englishman to score for the athlete in 101 years when he hit the net in his first start in Metropolitano. It rises in the demands of all actions of supporting the Athlete house – a key consideration made by the Spanish club when they signed it last summer for £ 38m.
But Gallagher believes he has also shown tactical improvement this term. He is not the first regular of England to be felt in Athletico, with Kieran Trippier also lending his time with Simeone to improve him in defense.
Gallagher has always played for high -pressure teams. In Atletico, often the tactic is to sit in formation before exploding forward with long -range counters. This fits perfectly to Gallagher’s engine and car.
It is understood that Gallagher has no regret for the circuit breaker and is excited by the future in Atletico. He enjoys the city and is working hard to learn the language. This transition is easier when the team is winning and the athlete has done a lot of this this season.
They go to Bernabeu on Tuesday evening not as favorites, but as ambitious neighbors, ahead of Real in the Laliga title race and with the advantage of playing the second match of their last Champions League-16th tie at home.
For Gallagher – playing in its first season in the Champions League as a regular game – it’s an exciting option. And one he will surely appreciate it after being set aside by Enzo Maresca in Chelsea last summer.
Conor Gallagher’s statistics for chelsea last season
On the last day of last season, under Mauricio Pochettino, Gallagher led his boyhood club to Stamford Bridge as captain. In the stand, a typhus read ‘Chelsea from the East’.
It was a node for the 18 years he would move to Chelsea’s books and a response to uncertainty about his future at the time. After all, despite that support, he was sold, a victim of Chelsea’s need to get money in home talent for financial reasons and questions about where to get into the Maresca system.
But their loss has been the profit of Atletico. Gallagher – typically – has loaded on the challenge.
He will hope to attract more appreciation noises from his club supporters and leading coach this week in Bernabeu and beyond as the athlete follows the big awards during this season’s business.
