Top four Diego Simeone’s team suffered a shocking 2-0 loss to lowly Cadiz on Saturday, shocking Atletico Madrid.
The 18th-place Andalusian team earned three crucial points after halftime thanks to a brace from loanee Juanmi, condemning Atletico to their seventh loss of the season.
The setback adds to Atletico’s turbulent season, which began with losses to Athletic Bilbao over two legs in the Copa del Rey semifinal and Inter Milan 1-0 in the first leg of the Champions League last 16.
Midway through the first half, Spanish international striker Juanmi was left unmarked in the box to head in, and shortly after the hour, he finished with a scuffed finish to seal the victory.
Both sides were unable to find their rhythm, therefore the opening quarter was characterized by a long list of fouls.
After 24 minutes, Ruben Sobrino reached the byline. His left-footed cross found Juanmi’s head, and the player cheerfully headed in from five yards out to give Cadiz the lead.
At the half, Simeone made several substitutions, but to no effect, starting midfielders Saul Niguez and Rodrigo de Paul in place of Memphis Depay.
Once more, Juanmi—who was on loan from Real Betis—made all the difference.
After sixty-four minutes, he seized the opportunity from a long pass from Javi Hernandez to outmaneuver Jan Oblak with a messy but efficient volleyed finish.
The outcome puts Cadiz two points behind Girona in third place and moves them closer to safety as they move provisionally to within two points of 17th place.
Earlier, Hugo Duro’s deft lofted strike five minutes before halftime helped Valencia defeat Getafe 1-0 at home, moving them up to eighth place.
Later on Saturday, Girona can further distance itself from Atletico when they play Osasuna, while Real Sociedad will visit struggling Granada.
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