SPORTING 1-4 ATLÉTICO DE MADRID
Kevin Gameiro dedicates hat trick to late grandmother
The French striker hit the second fastest hat trick on record in LaLiga - and the first ever for a player coming on as a substitute for Atlético.
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Happiness at the end of a sad week
There was only one person on Kevin Gameiro's mind as he claimed a hat trick in today's 1-4 win over Sporting de Gijón, as he told BeinSports' pitchside reporter after the game. It was the second fastest hat trick on record in LaLiga - and the first ever to be scored by an Atlético player coming off the bench.
Did you think you might score three goals when you came on as a sub with half an hour to play?
No, but I'm very happy with how it all worked out. We put in a really good game. I dedicated the goals to my grandmother, who sadly, we lost this week and I have been tghinking a lot about her. The three goals are for her.
Atleti are making a bit of a habit of winning their games in the final minutes...
Yes. We have been working on pacing our games so that we are prepared to last for the full 90 minutes. We know that we can do it and we have shown that many times, but it's also true that we need to start games better so that we can be calmer.
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Do you hope this hat trick will help you to be given regular playing time?
I work for the team, and to be able to play every game. It's a difficult moment in terms of the football we are playing but all of us need to work hard every day of the week so that we are ready when we are on the pitch. i am in good shape physically and I hope I can help the team more.
Do you talk it over with Simeone when you are left out of the starting XI?
No, that's the way football is, he has to choose the players and I am in the squad to help the team win our games. Today turned out to be a good day.