Riquelme’s genius defeats Mallorca and brings Atlético closer to the Champions League

An early riser and good goal from Riquelme gave Atlético a victory that leaves them within reach of the next Champions League. The defeat leaves Mallorca with the anguish of not yet certifying salvation. Without Griezmann, suspended, and stripped of De Paul’s hierarchy, on the bench, the duel was a litmus test for Simeone’s players.

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Predrag Rajkovic, Nastasic, Raíllo, Pablo Maffeo (Manu Morlanes, min. 61), Lato, Valjent (Radonjic, min. 75), Dani (Giovanni González, min. 75), Omar Mascarell (Javi Llabrés, min. 86), Darder, Abdón Prats (Cyle Larin, min. 62) and Muriqi

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Oblak, Giménez, Mario Hermoso (Nahuel Molina, min. 45), Witsel, Koke, Pablo Barrios Rivas, Rodrigo Riquelme, Azpilicueta (Reinildo Mandava, min. 90), Correa (De Paul, min. 80), Marcos Llorente and Samuel Linen (Morata, min. 82)

Goals 0-1 min. 5: Rodrigo Riquelme.

Referee Javier Alberola Rojas

Yellow cards Raíllo (min. 71) and Muriqi (min. 75)

It seemed that Aguirre had a long game planned, with more ball control than usual. Less direct play than normal and more kneading the ball. Riquelme broke the plan after five minutes with a maneuver that mixed surprise and finesse. He collected a headed clearance from Nastasi in the crescent and with a cut with his spur he got rid of Mascarell and Raíllo. Well profiled, he hit a low, tight right hand that surprised Rajkovic. As a winger alternating with Lino, Riquelme perhaps had his best game of the course. He was solid in defense, without mistakes. In attack he teamed up well vertically. He has shown the qualities of a good player in his first year in Atlético’s first team after his time at. The next course should be your revalidation course.

The goal left Mallorca more disoriented than expected. He was surprised to see Aguirre’s team without bite and with that love for a more combined game that left that point of attack with Abdón and Muriqi meaningless. He was able to confirm that Witsel has emerged as Atlético’s best centre-back. He beat him from below in the expectations and from above his teammates did little to look for him in the first act.

Against that strange Mallorca, an Atlético was built without concessions at the back and confident with the ball. In this last facet, Mario Hermoso played a transcendental role throughout the first half. He was another midfielder to create superiorities in the middle and in the corridors that confused defenses and local media. It was precisely Hermoso who had the 0-2 in a good combination by Atlético. Correa saw and gave the last pass so that the center back stood against Rajkovic. His left foot shot crashed into the side netting.

Aguirre must have realized that his team had to return to its more natural football. No more handling the ball to try to play more directly. That led to Muriqi’s first serious appearance. Darder closed a center and the Kosovar did not get away from Oblak. This was Mallorca’s only threat in the entire first act. For the second, Simeone had to leave Hermoso on the bench. It is assumed that it was due to injury, because he had been immense in the first 45 minutes. Molina came on and Azpilicueta acted as a left-footed centre-back. Atlético did not lose control. Llorente made it 0-2 and Darder and Larin forced Oblak to make two worthy saves. But Mallorca did not load as many centers into the area as was expected. Atlético did not let him.

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