Sat Jan 18 17:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Atlético Madrid’s Unbeaten Streak Snapped by Leganés

**MADRID, SPAIN** – Atlético Madrid’s stunning 15-game winning streak came to a crashing halt on Saturday, as they suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to local rivals Leganés. The loss leaves Atlético’s grip on the La Liga lead precarious, with Real Madrid poised to overtake them should they win their game against Las Palmas on Sunday.

Despite dominating possession (over 60%) and creating numerous chances, including hitting the woodwork three times, Atlético failed to capitalize. A missed penalty by Antoine Griezmann in stoppage time compounded their woes. Leganés’s winning goal arrived in the 50th minute, a powerful header from defender Matija Nastasic following a corner kick.

Atlético goalkeeper Jan Oblak attributed the defeat to a lack of energy, stating, “We didn’t start well. We switched off, we didn’t have enough energy…We had chances in the second half, but we didn’t have enough energy to win the match.”

However, manager Diego Simeone offered a contrasting view, proudly reflecting on the record-breaking winning run and suggesting that missed opportunities were the decisive factor. He disagreed with Oblak’s assessment, highlighting Atlético’s efforts and attributing the goal to a single, decisive moment. He noted the difficulty of playing away matches in La Liga, contrasting Atlético’s experience with Barcelona’s consistent ability to secure victories.

Atlético remain top of the table with 44 points, one point ahead of Real Madrid and six ahead of Barcelona, although both rivals have a game in hand. The result raises the stakes significantly ahead of Real Madrid’s match on Sunday.

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