From “Cesarini Zone” to “Atletico Madrid Zone”: How the Colchoneros Transform After the 90th Minute

Madrid, 22 January 2025 – TheAtletico Madrid never gives up. Until the referee blows the whistle, the men of Simeon they don't give up, and in yesterday's challenge against the Bayer Leverkusen there was yet another demonstration. In a strange match, which ended with ten against ten following the expulsions of Neighborhoods at 25' and of Hincapie in the 76th minute, the Colchoneros managed to find victory once again at the stroke of 90 minutes, thanks to Julian Alvarez placeholder image.

It is not the first time that Atletico Madrid has scored after the 90th minute. In fact, this season the goals scored by the Colchoneros in injury time have been 14 in 31 games, almost one every two matches. The first of these goals came on August 25 in the match against Girona, when Koke He scored the 3-0 goal in the 94th minute, then, just six days later, it was the turn of Belt, who, with the goal scored in the 92nd minute against the Athletic Bilbao, gave the three points to Simeone. The third goal in the “Cesarini zone” of the colchoneros was by Julian Alvarez in the 94th minute against Valencia, on September 15, while the fourth was the work of Giménez September 19th against the Leipzig in Champions League, and it came in the 90th minute. The fifth was also scored in the 90th minute, and it was Alvarez's goal against Celta Vigo of last September 26, which gave the three points to Simeone's team. The sixth has a special flavour, because it is the goal of Correa against Real Madrid, scored in the 95th minute and decisive in the draw against Los Blancos in the match on 29 September.

The seventh goal was that of Sorloth in the 99th minute against the Leganés (October 20), the eighth one by Correa against the PSG in the 93rd minute (November 6) and the ninth once again by Sørloth, in the 92nd minute against Valladolid, in the race on November 30th. Last December 5th, against the cacereño in King's Cup two goals arrived after the 90th minute: the own goal by Perez, in the 92nd minute, and Alvarez's goal, in the 96th minute. The twelfth goal in the Cesarini zone came in the 4-3 on Sunday 8 December against Seville, by Griezmann in the 94th minute, which was worth the three points. Same result for the thirteenth, namely Sørloth's goal against Barcelona in the big match last December 21st.