The roar of the Metropolitano. The celebrations of Diego Simeone. It was not a goal, but the reaction to the thoroughly bleed-to-back tackles of Conor Gallagher leaves in the 1-0 victory of Atletico Madrid against Athletic Bilbao served as a reminder of his important role in the Spanish capital.
Now the nickname 'El Pitbull' for his retaining hind legs of opposition drivers and the ability to quickly cover the ground, the English international is perfect for El Cholo's Atletico and helps to feed the intensity of the challenge of the Silver Work team on three fronts.
Chelsea supporters will be known that urgent pressures with high octanies. This also applies to its versatility and adaptability.
Those viral tackles – who helped to win a victory that keeps the Liga title of Atletico Madrid on the track – were from a left midfield position.
The match earlier, in a 4-4 Copa del Rey First legs in Barcelona, Gallagher had played conservative on that side, so Lamine Yamal was doubled. Before that he contributed an assist through the center of the field against Valencia.
In Chelsea last season he was used a regular midfielder, part of a double pivot, as a presser for the foot at the pitch and even as a false nine. His position changes in Atletico, instead, has been horizontal, with a successful stint on the left to Paris St-Germain Proof Gallagher can still contribute outside of his preferred central role.
The international of England has bought the Ethos in Atletico. The All-For One, one-for-all culture built by Simeone. He cannot start every match and he can be used in different positions, but it is clear that he has Simeone's confidence to have an impact of the first whistle or as a replacement.
That is particularly clear at home, where Gallagher became the first Englishman to score for Atleti in 101 years when he just hit the Metropolitano at his first start. He rises to the All -action requirements of the Athleti Home Support – an important consideration of the Spanish club when they signed him for £ 38 million last summer.
But Gallagher believes that he has also shown this term tactical improvement. He is not the first England who feels like this in Atletico, where Kieran Trippier also credits his time with Simeone for defensively improving him.
Gallagher has always played for high-Dringing teams. At Atletico the tactic is often to lean back before he bursts forward with long -distance lane. That fits perfectly with the engine and the Gallagher drive.
It is understood that Gallagher does not regret the switch and is enthusiastic about the future in Atletico. He enjoys the city and works hard to learn the language. That transition is all the easier when the team wins and Athleti has done a lot of this season.
They do not go to the Bernabeu on Tuesday evening, not as favorites, but as an ambitious neighbors, prior to Real in the LaLiga title race and with the advantage of playing the second stage of their Champions League Last-16 draw at home.
For Gallagher – playing in his first season in the Champions League like a game – Game regularly – it is an exciting chance. And he will certainly appreciate one all the more after he was put aside by Enzo Maresca in Chelsea last summer by Enzo Maresca.
On the last day of last season, Gallagher led his boys' club to Stamford Bridge as a captain under Mauricio Pochettino. In the stands a tifo 'Chelsea since birth'.
It was a nod to the 18 years he had spent on Chelsea's books and a response to the uncertainty about his future at that time. In the end, despite that support, he was sold a victim of Chelsea's need to cash in on home -grown talent for financial reasons and questions about where he would fit into the Maresca system.
But their loss has been the profit of Atletico. Gallagher – usually – has sued the challenge.
This week he hopes more roaring of appreciation from the supporters and head coach of his club in the Bernabeu and beyond, while Atleti pursues the big prizes during the business end of this season.
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