To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Simeone Makes Genius Decision To Play Injured Godín Up Front, He Scores The Winner

Simeone Makes Genius Decision To Play Injured Godín Up Front, He Scores The Winner

Diego Godín put his defending duties on hold after Diego Simeone turned him into a forward in Atlético Madrid’s match with Athletic Bilbao.

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz

Atlético Madrid fought back hard to defeat Athletic Bilbao 3-2 on Saturday.

It was Diego Godín's injury-time header that sealed an important three points for his side, though it seems like it was a master stroke decision from manager Diego Simeone to play the defender as a forward.

The 32-year-old Uruguayan defender, who was linked with a move to Manchester United on deadline day in the summer, was suffering from an injury after he tried to stop Iñaki Williams from scoring his second and restoring Bilbao's lead.

El Cholo had used all three of his substitutes by the time that Godín had picked up a knock, prompting him to make the decision to play the centre-back in attack for Los Rojiblancos.



"In the Williams goal, I hurt myself in the sprint, I felt a sharp pain," he told beIN SPORTS.

"I went to go off but Cholo [Simeone] told me to go up front.

"We are going crazy with the win and this makes us all happy, along with the fans.

"We fought to the end and we were rewarded."

PA

Atlético are now second in La Liga and are one point behind league leaders Barcelona. However, Ernesto Valverde's side have a game in hand and take on Real Betis today.

Godín hopes that the late comeback can help Atlético to keep up a title challenge with Barça.

"We kept fighting and battling to the end and got the final reward," he explained (via ESPN). "This is important to keep fighting up the top of the table.

"We knew it would be a difficult game, with many players missing, after a big week for us.

"But we will be reinforced a lot by winning like this. This lifts and excites the fans, and us players too."





Can Atlético challenge Barcelona for the title this season?

Let us know in the comments.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Football News, Diego Godin, Football, Athletic Bilbao, Atletico Madrid, Diego Simeone