The Atlético squad has enjoyed a 33-game stretch without a favorable call, breaking a record last seen in the 1940s.
At Atlético de Madrid, there is a clear understanding that their performance at Camp Nou was not determined by the referee. They acknowledge that their position in the league is not a consequence of refereeing decisions, but rather the result of mistakes they have made on the field. Yet within the club, there remains a stubborn fascination with how the team has not benefited from a penalty in the league up to this point. The most recent moment came late in the match at Camp Nou. Giménez sent a header toward goal, the ball deflecting off Busquets’ arm as his back was arched, and while the rojiblancos urged for a penalty, the referee did not signal for one and VAR did not intervene. The moment added to a growing narrative that has yet to yield a spot kick for Atlético, despite a continuous string of appearances that have kept the dream of a favorable decision alive. (Goal)
Simeone’s men have reached 33 league matches without a penalty call in their favor, a feat that eclipses a historic record from the 1940s when the club went 32 games without a penalty in seasons 1941/42 and 1942/43. Now, the team has continued an advantage of 33 days without a maximum penalty. The streak has become a talking point around the locker room, shaping a sense of ambiguity and surprise as players admit that in certain moments it’s hard to discern what constitutes a hand. This uncertainty echoes memories of a similar game against Getafe in the home venue, where a penalty was awarded against Atlético Sar, decided by Mateu Lahoz. In that instance, a spot kick went to the mattress side, and yesterday’s Camp Nou meeting saw the opposite outcome. (Goal)
Atlético de Madrid now sits at 33 days without a favorable penalty and accumulates a long stretch of 350 days without taking one. The statistics grow even more striking when considering the team’s offensive metrics: Atlético ranks among the league’s top three for the number of shots inside the box and for creating the most scoring chances. Yet the club has navigated the entire campaign without a single penalty in its favor, a record that has some within the club considering the possibility of finishing the season without a penalty won in the team’s favor and pushing the streak to 38 days without a referee’s maximum decision. (Goal)
The mood inside the rojiblanco dressing room remains one of disbelief. Several players acknowledge that in this unfolding storyline, the rulebook often feels unclear, and the line between a handball and a non-handball is increasingly blurred. This sentiment is reinforced by recollections of the Getafe match when a close decision went against Atlético, reminding fans that the field has produced both penalties for and against the team in recent memory. Yesterday’s Camp Nou encounter illustrated the opposite of that pattern, but the broader narrative persists. (Goal)
In the broader league context, Atlético’s long run without a penalty is paired with a notable efficiency in attack. The team has generated high-quality opportunities and sustained sustained pressure, yet the absence of a favorable decision remains a talking point among supporters, commentators, and analysts. As the season unfolds, questions linger about consistency in officiating, the distribution of penalties across teams, and how these elements influence the perception of performance. (Goal)
Ultimately, the club’s supporters and staff are left to interpret the ongoing sequence. While some view it as a quirk of fate, others see it as an indicator of how the game has shifted and how refereeing can influence, or fail to influence, a season’s arc. The dialogue continues as Atlético aims to balance its attacking prowess with the reality that penalties have not aided their campaign to date, even as the team remains a potent force in the league. (Goal)