Decisive, Walter scored again after two years and was excited about a goal at Atlético: “Pass a movie” | athletico-pr

Little more than two years passed without shaking the net. Decisive, the forward it only took eight minutes me a single submission in the game. It was triggered by Eduardo Barros in the 37th minute of the second half, when he took the place of midfielder Christian, who scored the equalizer at the Félix Capriles stadium. And it was at 45 minutes, on Jonathan’s play on the right, when Walter hit hard to declare Atlético’s first victory playing at height.

Walter celebrated the goal excitedly on the field and embraced by his teammates. The happiness stamped on his face meant a lot: Before signing for Atlético, the forward had not played since November 2018, when he defended the CSA. He was suspended after being caught in a doping test for using a sibutramine drug to lose weight. He served punishment for two years and only returned to play last month, against Fluminense.

To adapt to the hurricane, Walter lost more than 20 kg and he went through a special plan of intense training and a balanced diet – a routine that he continues today to keep the weight on track. He came to the club weighing 117 kg.

The celebration in Bolivia made the striker remember the difficulties to return to the top.

– Everything happened (in the head). A movie passed, more than two years without playing football. Just to thank God, my wife and all my colleagues who came to hug me. It is a special day for me, I will not forget it – he said in an interview with the club after the game.

• HE last goal Walter had been around two years and two months (or 795 days) ago, when he was playing for CSA. In July 2018 he scored the winning goal over Sampaio Corrêa for Brasileirão Serie B;
• Walter scored by Athletic for the last time in 2016, against Corinthians. He scored the two goals in the 2-0 victory, at Arena da Baixada, for the 18th round of Brasileirão;
• Walter did not discuss the Liberators 10 years ago. The last time was for Internacional, in 2010.

– Returning to Libertadores after 10 years and scoring a goal, there is nothing better. It took all the weight off me. I am very happy and I thank all the Atlético fans who always give me strength, the president (Mario Celso Petraglia) for betting on me, Paulo (André, football director) for his trust, the coach (Eduardo Barros), the team all. When I scored the goal everyone came to hug me. I will see that goal every day now.

Atlético returns to the field next week, again for the Libertadores. The hurricane receives the Colo-Colo, on Wednesday, at 7.15pm, at the Arena da Baixada, on the fourth day of the continental tournament. The Chilean team beat Peñarol 2-1 on Tuesday, playing at home, and also has six points in Group C.

Atlético next matches

• Athletico x Colo-Colo – 23/09 – 19h15 – Arena da Baixada
• Athletico x Bahia – 09/26 – 19h – Arena da Baixada
• Athletico x Jorge Wilstermann – 09/29 – 9:30 PM – Arena da Baixada
• Flamengo x Athletico – 04/10 – 16h – Maracanã
• Athletico x Ceará – 08/10 – 19h – Arena da Baixada