Superb performances from Agüero and De Gea give Atlético the win in Mallorca (3-4)
Despite the victory, they will have to play in the Europa League play-in round
Atlético de Madrid earned the victory in Mallorca by the score of 3-4. De Gea, in goal, and Agüero author of three goals, had great individual games, but in spite of the win, it wasn’t enough to keep the ‘rojiblancos’ from having to play in the Europa League play-in round at the end of July, as both Sevilla and Athletic won their respective matches. Therefore, even though they were all even on points, the other two clubs held the tie-breakers and Quique Sanchez Flores’ squad wrapped up the campaign in seventh place.
Atlético de Madrid hadn’t won in their visits to Mallorca since the 2003-04 season. Since that point, they’d come away with three draws and three losses, and fell hard last season 4-1.
For their part, Mallorca were playing for their lives. Despite it seemling like Laudrup’s team was safe weeks ago, a series of poor results condemned them to be playing to stay in the top flight in the last week of the season. The only possible result that might benefit both teams was a tie. Mallorca would seal their salvation while Atletico could avoid the Europa League qualifying round if Sevilla or Athletic lost their respective matches against Espanyol and Racing.
The game started with the home side applying plenty of pressure. Mallorca knew what was on the line, the Second Division, and didn’t want to wait for other results that might benefit them. Meanwhile, Atlético de Madrid sized up their opponent and looked for their place on the field. They slowly started to feel better and decided that the Mallorca left flank would be a good place to start to create danger, as Juanfran and Valera were outplaying their opponents in that area.
A long clearance from Juanfran downfield on the right side led to the first goal in the 12th minute. Kun Agüero chased down the ball, deked by a defender inside the area and beat Aoute from a tight angle.
The start couldn’t have been more hopeful for Atlético de Madrid. After Mallorca had come out stronger in the opening minutes, the ‘rojiblancos’ settled in on the pitch and saw a freeway down the right wing. They again created danger down that side in the 17th minute through Agüero. It was a prelude to their second goal. One minute later, Juanfran received a great through pass from Mario and ripped a diagonal shot inside the far post. Juanfran raised his arms to the sky and pointed to the heavens in memory of his father, who passed away recently. He had tried to dedicate a goal to his dad against Hércules, but the homage had to wait a week.
The goals were a huge blow to the home team, which was at the mercy of Quique Sánchez Flores’ squad. In the 24th minute, a chip shot from Agüero went just high. The home team wouldn’t see De Gea up close until the 25th minute. A combination between the Mallorca strikers put Webó through on goal alone in front of De Gea, but the goalkeeper made the save.
Atlético were better than their opponent, as the nerves and tension of relegation were affecting Laudrup’s men, who left big holes in defence. The ‘rojiblancos’ took advantage of these to attack Aouate’s area with ease, but the finishing of Kun and Reyes wasn’t up to their usual standard.
The second half started with the logical and predictable pressure from Mallorca. They needed at least a point to ensure that they would remain in the First Division and tightened up. Laudrup wanted to give his squad a new air and send on Joao Víctor for Cendrós. They almost pulled one back through De Guzman in the first minute of the re-start, but De Gea was there to make the save.
This fast start caught the visitors off guard, and they were unable to find a way to break through Mallorca’s midfield. Their lead was delicate, as there was still plenty of time left and the home team was applying lots of pressure. Even through their defence continued to give them room, Atlético de Madrid didn’t take advantage of it. Although the fact was that a third goal for Atlético seemed closer than Mallorca’s first.
Pereira tried his luck from outside the area in the 56th minute, but again De Gea was there to keep out the goal. On the next play, Kun put together a work of art. He received the ball at the top of the area and saw the home keeper off the line. He calmly sent the ball into the far upper corner, where it was impossible for Aouate to get to. It was his one-hundredth goal as a ‘rojiblanco’ player in his five years defending the Atleti jersey. But the Atlético joy didn’t last long, as on the next play Valera was called for a handball inside his own area. The referee didn’t hesitate to blow his whistle, and De Guzman fired home the ensuing penalty to cut into the deficit.
Atlético pressured their opponent and lost control of the midfield. Quique realized this and sent on Assunçao to try and shore things up. But in the 70th minute, an apparently innocent play ended in a goal for Mallorca. A loose ball on the wing was crossed into the area and Webó outjumped the Atlético defenders to head into the goal and cut the lead to one.
Mallorca almost equalized in the 78th minute. Pereira dribbled past all the Atlético de Madrid defenders who stood in his way, but his shot was stopped phenomenally by De Gea, who played a great game, to keep his team in the lead. But Sergio Agüero was no less sensational. The Argentine didn’t want the victory to slip from their hands and notched his first career hat trick on an individual play. In stoppage time, Mallorca again pulled one back, but it wasn’t enough. And while they lost the match, they were able to keep their spot in the First Division because Deportivo lost to Valencia. Atlético de Madrid, on the other hand, will have to play in the Europa League qualifying round despite the win, because Sevilla and Athletic both won their respective games, leaving Atleti in seventh place.
MALLORCA, 2 (Webó, 2 and De Guzmán, penalty); ATLÉTICO DE MADRID, 4 (Agüero, 3 and Juanfran)
Mallorca: Aoute; Cendrós (Joao Víctor, 46’) Ramis, Nunes, Ayoze; Martí, Tejera (Castro, 52’), De Guzmán, Pereira; Nsue and Webó.
Atlético de Madrid: De Gea; Valera, Ujfalusi, Pulido, Filipe Luis; Mario Suárez (Assunçao, 67’), Tiago, Koke, Juanfran (Raúl García, 81’); Reyes and Agüero.
Referee: Mateu Lahoz. For Atlético showed yellow cards to (51’), Valera (60’) and Raúl García (91’).
Game notes: Matchday 38 of the National League Championship. Estadio Iberostar. Sell-out of 23,000 spectators.
GOALS:
0-1 (12’). Juanfran clears down the field, Kun Agüero catches up to the ball, beats a defender and sends it past Aouate.
0-2 (18)’. Mario send a through ball to Juanfran, who beats the Mallorca goalkeeper to the far post.
0-3 (58’). Agüero takes in a pass at the top of the area, lifts his head, and shoots the ball into the far upper corner.
1-3 (60’). De Guzmán, from the penalty spot after a Valera hand ball inside the area.
2-3 (70’). Webó heads in a cross from the wing.
2-4 (80’). Kun Agüero dribbles through defenders inside the area and lifts the ball over the goalkeeper and into the far side netting.
3-4 (92’): Webó heads in a free kick from the wing.
Atlético de Madrid hadn’t won in their visits to Mallorca since the 2003-04 season. Since that point, they’d come away with three draws and three losses, and fell hard last season 4-1.
For their part, Mallorca were playing for their lives. Despite it seemling like Laudrup’s team was safe weeks ago, a series of poor results condemned them to be playing to stay in the top flight in the last week of the season. The only possible result that might benefit both teams was a tie. Mallorca would seal their salvation while Atletico could avoid the Europa League qualifying round if Sevilla or Athletic lost their respective matches against Espanyol and Racing.
The game started with the home side applying plenty of pressure. Mallorca knew what was on the line, the Second Division, and didn’t want to wait for other results that might benefit them. Meanwhile, Atlético de Madrid sized up their opponent and looked for their place on the field. They slowly started to feel better and decided that the Mallorca left flank would be a good place to start to create danger, as Juanfran and Valera were outplaying their opponents in that area.
A long clearance from Juanfran downfield on the right side led to the first goal in the 12th minute. Kun Agüero chased down the ball, deked by a defender inside the area and beat Aoute from a tight angle.
The start couldn’t have been more hopeful for Atlético de Madrid. After Mallorca had come out stronger in the opening minutes, the ‘rojiblancos’ settled in on the pitch and saw a freeway down the right wing. They again created danger down that side in the 17th minute through Agüero. It was a prelude to their second goal. One minute later, Juanfran received a great through pass from Mario and ripped a diagonal shot inside the far post. Juanfran raised his arms to the sky and pointed to the heavens in memory of his father, who passed away recently. He had tried to dedicate a goal to his dad against Hércules, but the homage had to wait a week.
The goals were a huge blow to the home team, which was at the mercy of Quique Sánchez Flores’ squad. In the 24th minute, a chip shot from Agüero went just high. The home team wouldn’t see De Gea up close until the 25th minute. A combination between the Mallorca strikers put Webó through on goal alone in front of De Gea, but the goalkeeper made the save.
Atlético were better than their opponent, as the nerves and tension of relegation were affecting Laudrup’s men, who left big holes in defence. The ‘rojiblancos’ took advantage of these to attack Aouate’s area with ease, but the finishing of Kun and Reyes wasn’t up to their usual standard.
The second half started with the logical and predictable pressure from Mallorca. They needed at least a point to ensure that they would remain in the First Division and tightened up. Laudrup wanted to give his squad a new air and send on Joao Víctor for Cendrós. They almost pulled one back through De Guzman in the first minute of the re-start, but De Gea was there to make the save.
This fast start caught the visitors off guard, and they were unable to find a way to break through Mallorca’s midfield. Their lead was delicate, as there was still plenty of time left and the home team was applying lots of pressure. Even through their defence continued to give them room, Atlético de Madrid didn’t take advantage of it. Although the fact was that a third goal for Atlético seemed closer than Mallorca’s first.
Pereira tried his luck from outside the area in the 56th minute, but again De Gea was there to keep out the goal. On the next play, Kun put together a work of art. He received the ball at the top of the area and saw the home keeper off the line. He calmly sent the ball into the far upper corner, where it was impossible for Aouate to get to. It was his one-hundredth goal as a ‘rojiblanco’ player in his five years defending the Atleti jersey. But the Atlético joy didn’t last long, as on the next play Valera was called for a handball inside his own area. The referee didn’t hesitate to blow his whistle, and De Guzman fired home the ensuing penalty to cut into the deficit.
Atlético pressured their opponent and lost control of the midfield. Quique realized this and sent on Assunçao to try and shore things up. But in the 70th minute, an apparently innocent play ended in a goal for Mallorca. A loose ball on the wing was crossed into the area and Webó outjumped the Atlético defenders to head into the goal and cut the lead to one.
Mallorca almost equalized in the 78th minute. Pereira dribbled past all the Atlético de Madrid defenders who stood in his way, but his shot was stopped phenomenally by De Gea, who played a great game, to keep his team in the lead. But Sergio Agüero was no less sensational. The Argentine didn’t want the victory to slip from their hands and notched his first career hat trick on an individual play. In stoppage time, Mallorca again pulled one back, but it wasn’t enough. And while they lost the match, they were able to keep their spot in the First Division because Deportivo lost to Valencia. Atlético de Madrid, on the other hand, will have to play in the Europa League qualifying round despite the win, because Sevilla and Athletic both won their respective games, leaving Atleti in seventh place.
MALLORCA, 2 (Webó, 2 and De Guzmán, penalty); ATLÉTICO DE MADRID, 4 (Agüero, 3 and Juanfran)
Mallorca: Aoute; Cendrós (Joao Víctor, 46’) Ramis, Nunes, Ayoze; Martí, Tejera (Castro, 52’), De Guzmán, Pereira; Nsue and Webó.
Atlético de Madrid: De Gea; Valera, Ujfalusi, Pulido, Filipe Luis; Mario Suárez (Assunçao, 67’), Tiago, Koke, Juanfran (Raúl García, 81’); Reyes and Agüero.
Referee: Mateu Lahoz. For Atlético showed yellow cards to (51’), Valera (60’) and Raúl García (91’).
Game notes: Matchday 38 of the National League Championship. Estadio Iberostar. Sell-out of 23,000 spectators.
GOALS:
0-1 (12’). Juanfran clears down the field, Kun Agüero catches up to the ball, beats a defender and sends it past Aouate.
0-2 (18)’. Mario send a through ball to Juanfran, who beats the Mallorca goalkeeper to the far post.
0-3 (58’). Agüero takes in a pass at the top of the area, lifts his head, and shoots the ball into the far upper corner.
1-3 (60’). De Guzmán, from the penalty spot after a Valera hand ball inside the area.
2-3 (70’). Webó heads in a cross from the wing.
2-4 (80’). Kun Agüero dribbles through defenders inside the area and lifts the ball over the goalkeeper and into the far side netting.
3-4 (92’): Webó heads in a free kick from the wing.
