In the last four MLS games, Ronny Deila has led Atlanta United to two losses and two draws. One loss came against Inter Miami and Messi, where Deila and Miami coach Javier Mascherano showed a commitment so intense that both coaches were halfway out on the pitch. Before Saturday’s game, it was clear, Deila needed not only commitment, but a win.
And the victory came in an extremely exciting match against New York City FC, the club Deila led to the MLS title in 2022.
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The former Celtic coach has described the atmosphere in Atlanta’s home stadium as coming into a rock concert, against the New York club it took off in the stands. After a quick score for the away team after the quarter of an hour, Atlanta answered just before halftime to make it 1-1. New York City FC responded by coming out of the locker room, provoking a penalty after three minutes – with a goal. Then came what many thought was the coup de grace from the away team. After 51 minutes, Hannes Wolf scored his second and the New York club’s third.
The Altanta players did not lose heart, with a familiar Ronny Deila constantly pushing to get the best out of his team. The reward came about half an hour before the end. Equalizing to 2-2, then Atlanta put in the last gear.
It ended with a fantastic 4-3 victory for Deila and Atlanta United.
Deila led City Football Group’s American club to title in 2022, where even Pep Guardiola praised the Norwegian for the feat. On Saturday, Deila conquered the stage again in MLS, this time it is Atlanta players and the fans who got the party.
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