Conor Gallagher’s latest display for Atletico Madrid leaves Diego Simeone with plenty of food for thought.
The 25-year-old started for just the second time in Atleti’s last nine league fixtures as they ran out 2-1 victors over Sevilla.
A stoppage-time winner from Pablo Barrios helped Simeone’s side to a crucial three points after Julian Alvarez’s penalty cancelled out Lucien Agoume’s seventh-minute opener.
But it was Gallagher who earned the plaudits from several Atleti fans on social media.
It was the former Blues star who won the penalty for the visitors that led to Alvarez’s goal.
A powerful pass was played into Gallagher’s feet but he produced a deft first touch that nutmegged Kike Salas and took him into the box.
Just as Gallagher looked to nudge the ball forward with his right foot, Sevilla’s Loic Bade knocked the England international to the ground with a mistimed challenge.
Bade’s failed effort to win the ball gave the referee a simple decision to make as he immediately pointed to the spot.
Gallagher continued to be a pest throughout and his defensive stats proved just as much.
The former Chelsea star managed five ball recoveries and also won all seven of his ground and aerial duels.
Gallagher’s seven duels won was the third-most among the players.
He was also the only outfield starter who did not lose a single duel.
LaLigaThe ex-Blues ace was a menace in the box and won the foul for Atleti’s penalty[/caption]
Gallagher also showed plenty of deftness in attack as he completed 82 per cent of his passes and had seven touches in the Sevilla box.
Only Atleti’s Giuliano Simeone had more touches in the opposition box among all players involved in Sunday’s clash.
Gallagher and Simeone were also the most fouled players having been bundled over three times by Sevilla’s players.
So good was Gallagher’s overall performance, Atletico Madrid’s official account on X wrote: “Conor Gallagher. What a game. My goodness.”
As for Atleti fans, they believed Gallagher’s performance was more than enough evidence for him to enjoy more consistent minutes under Simeone.
One fan wrote: “Conor Gallagher once again proving why he deserves a spot in the XI. Won the penalty that led to Julian’s goal. What a player.
Another said: “Conor Gallagher deserves more playing time at Atletico Madrid.
“His tactical intelligence, which encompasses everything from being an inside midfielder to a central midfielder and even a second striker, is a strength that complements his physicality in pressing. He gives a lot of play near the box. If he changes, it’s inexplicable.”
A third added: “One of Diego Simeone‘s sins has been his management of Conor Gallagher’s playing time.
“With his close influence in the box and his physique, I think he deserved more playing time. He’s a player who needs to be consistent, not driven crazy.”
Atleti’s victory over Sevilla snapped a three-game winless streak as they now sit three points behind second-placed Real Madrid in the league.
Barcelona are four points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the table.
With eight LaLiga fixtures to go, Gallagher will be hopeful of playing a key role as Simeone’s side look to secure Champions League football yet again.
