After missing the first three games of the season, he has subsequently made his way into Fiorentina’s starting lineup. He has started the following six Serie A games, giving up six goals and recording two shutouts. With the business end in reach, the veteran goalie shows no signs of slowing down. This outstanding run of form has persisted until the latter stages of the campaign.
The United misfit has already played 26 games for La Viola in the 2024–25 season, giving up just 29 goals while maintaining eight clean sheets. While Andre Onana is still making howlers in front of the Stretford End, he appears to be a man reborn and eager to take on the challenge of reliving his success from his earlier years at Old Trafford.
Gallagher’s future in Diego Simeone’s starting lineup is still up in the air because Atletico is presently leading the league, ahead of Real Madrid and Barcelona. He is a sought-after asset for managers throughout Europe, though, because of one indisputable quality: his unwavering work ethic and capacity to cover every blade of grass. He became viral on Saturday against Athletic Club because of that quality.
Gallagher’s Work Ethic Makes Athletic Club Headlines
With his late pressing, the Englishman created a bear pit in the stadium.
When defending a 1-0 lead in the last minute of a game, a team can employ a number of strategies. They may drop deep to absorb the final waves of pressure, or they may defend the ball in the corner while fighting through stoppage time. But every senior manager is aware that offence is the best defence.
On Saturday night, Gallagher took this idea to the next level by throwing himself into two full-throttle challenges in an attempt to keep the ball out of his team’s half. His manager’s response to his unwavering dedication said volumes, and his constant pressing ignited the stadium, transforming it into a cauldron of noise. See the entire moment below:
I WAS SO MOVED https://t.co/oPIppVTptq pic.twitter.com/eDjKK4NhAf
— hassan (@Hassan241) March 1, 2025
Diego Simeone and his assistant Nelson Vivas going crazy after Conor Gallagher’s two tackles in a row in the final moments of the game! 😭❤️🤍pic.twitter.com/k9j6ZkUDTh
— Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) March 2, 2025
Gallagher’s Performance Proves Why Simeone Bought Him
He was excellent after coming off the bench
Gallagher will have to put in a lot of hard effort if Atletico is to keep up their current form and challenge for trophies ahead of its heavyweight opponents. Every great team needs a dedicated workhorse. He had a fantastic game on Saturday, coming off the bench for the last half.
The England international made seven defensive plays, won every tackle he contested, recorded three interceptions and—most importantly—pressed hard all over the pitch. Fans applauded a player who was bound to become Simeone’s favourite as he displayed glimpses of his best play, reaffirming his status as a “teacher’s pet” under Patrick Vieira at Crystal Palace.
