The arrival of Endrick at Lyon caused the departure of Martin Satriano to Getafe. This is how modern soccer works: when a world-class player arrives, someone packs their bags. The Uruguayan found himself with a media rival just when Bordalas was asking for reinforcements for his team. He did not hesitate and while the Bernabeu applauds from a distance to the Brazilian, the Uruguayan appeared to unhinge the white public with a great goal, the victory (0-1).
They are whims of fate, which sometimes entertains itself with Real Madrid. Something similar to the ‘butterfly effect’: a small movement in January that alters the landscape in March. Endrick without minutes at Madrid looks for air in Lyon. Satriano, intermittent with Paulo Fonseca, goes to the bench. They coincided in two games; in both he was a substitute. From there to Getafe; from Getafe to the Bernabeu; and on its turf, the unexpected twist.
In the 39th minute, he struck a volley that is not usually practiced. The ball fell from the sky after the fight of another Uruguayan, Mauro Arambarri, who beat Tchouameni in the air and prolonged a clearance by Rudiger. Satriano did not think twice. A bombshell into Courtois’ top corner. Unstoppable. One of those goals that you hear more than you see.
It was the culmination of a perfectly drawn-up plan by Bordalas. Six defenders on the field, constant help on Vinicius to protect Juan Iglesias, the tireless deployment of Milla, the dark work of Luis Vazquez and Satriano himself up front, the insistence in each duel and sustained pressure. Getafe was not surviving: it was competing. And at halftime, the superiority was more than just a feeling.
Satriano took the spotlight, but it was a team effort. Bordalas smiled on the sidelines, far from the twisted gesture at the start of the season, when he was urgently calling for reinforcements.
The board reacted and five names arrived: Argentines Zaid Romero and Luis Vazquez; Uruguayans Sebastian Boselli and Martin Satriano; and Serbian Veljko Birmancevic. They are players of character, with a competitive culture, very much to the coach’s liking.
Two weeks ago, on the eve of the clash against Villarreal, Bordalas explained it clearly: his arrival coincided with an obvious improvement in results and feelings. And he highlighted something that was once again evident last night: Uruguayan competitiveness is non-negotiable.
The goal at the Bernabeu was Satriano’s second for Getafe. The first, against Villarreal, also gave a victory, with a powerful header. But the one at the Bernabeu was something else: an earth-air missile that took off just as Endrick had practically just landed in Lyon.
Satriano’s success at the Bernabeu confirmed another thing: that in football, hierarchies do not always dictate the outcome. Sometimes the supporting actor demands focus. Sometimes the discarded player makes the headlines. It is the irony of a sport that never misses the opportunity to be ironic. And this time, the butterfly effect spoke with a Uruguayan accent.
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