Atlético de Madrid wrap up 2010 in La Liga by breezing past Málaga (0-3)
Tiago, with a brace, and Domínguez sentence the side from Andalusia
Atlético de Madrid closed down 2010 in league play as they began, with a victory. It was an incontestable win over a Málaga side that could only hold off the ‘rojiblancos’ for 21 minutes, just long enough for an inspired Simão to assist Tiago on the first goal. Then, the captain once again sent in two golden free kicks in the second half for Domínguez and Tiago, for the second time, to finish off the home side. It was a good match from Atleti, who had already begun to show improvement in Germany and followed that up with another solid performance against Málaga. Now they’ll have to continue this form in the Cup on Wednesday against Espanyol at the Calderón.
After their recent stumbles, Atlético de Madrid picked themselves up against Málaga with all of their players available with a blow out victory. Quique Sánchez Flores has that blessing of a problem that all managers want of choosing the best from his entire squad, and this time it was Antonio López’s turn to stay home. The surprise was the absence of Diego Forlán, as the head coach opted to go with three men in the central midfield with Raúl García, Tiago and Assunçao, in addition to keeping Simão and Reyes on in the midfield. Reyes was back in the starting line-up after sitting out against Leverkusen and recovering from his muscular problems.
The clash between Málaga and Atlético began with lots of tension and excitement. The home side didn’t want to slip further down into the relegation zone, while Quique Sánchez Flores’ lads knew that their most direct rivals in the battle for European spots had won. Thus, there was no other choice than to go for the win to keep their place in Europe.
With these premises, Atlético de Madrid took control of the ball from the opening kick-off thanks to the work in the middle from Tiago and Assunçao, with the inestimable help of Raúl García, who played on the right wing, and the mobility and speed of Reyes and Simão. It was only a matter of time for the chances and goals to come.
Agüero warned just two minutes in with a shot that sailed high and shortly thereafter Reyes tried his luck with a free kick that Rubén sent over for a corner. The third chance was the prelude to the first goal. Reyes pulled back for Kun, but the Argentine’s shot was just off-target. And the goal arrived thanks to a set piece. Simão whipped in a perfect ball into the area and Tiago beat the defenders to head home with an accurate shot. Atlético had the match as they wanted it midway through the first half.
Nevertheless, Málaga didn’t want to give up early and tried to attack De Gea’s goal in waves. Their first real chance came on a set piece when a Duda free kick became a cross-shot which the Atleti goalkeeper responded to with a sensational shot, parrying wide for a corner.
Atlético, had two more chances before the break to increase their lead, first with a cross from Kun that Reyes headed over, and then a free kick from Simão that was wrapped up by the home goalkeeper.
Manuel Pellegrini decided to go for broke after the half by sending on Fernando and Portillo for Iván Gonzáles and Manu Torres, respectively, and the club from Andalusia began to show signs of life. The ‘blanquiazules’ had more presence in the midfield, although the visitors continues to carry the weight of the play. Rondón tried his luck from distance in minute 52, but the ball went meekly into the hands of De Gea.
Nevertheless, it was only a matter of time. Málaga’s momentum lasted only as long as Atlético wanted it to. Simão was playing like a star and his magic on set pieces was enough to propel Quique Sánchez Flores’ side to two more goals thanks to their ball-control football. First, Domínguez found space alone in front of the goal to head home after Tiago had headed back across the face a free kick from Simão. Then, in the 68th minute, Atlético closed out the win with another Portuguese connection. Simão crossed from the left and again Tiago headed home. 0-3 and time to think about the Copa del Rey fixture on Wednesday against Espanyol.
Quique Sánchez Flores then decided to take off Agüero, who had done an excellent job even though Málaga continue to give him problems, as he has never scored against them. However, it was time to get the most heavily used players some rest after Thursday’s effort in Leverkusen in order to go into Wednesday’s Cup match in top form.
MÁLAGA, 0; ATLÉTICO DE MADRID, 3 (Tiago, 2, and Domínguez)
Málaga: Rubén; Jesús Gámez, Kris, Rosario, Manu Torres (Portillo, 46’); Eliseu, Iván González (Fernando, 46’), Juanito, Duda; Seba Fernández (Quincy, 62’) and Rondón.
Atlético de Madrid: De Gea; Ujfalusi, Perea, Domínguez, Filipe Luis; Tiago, Assunçao; Raúl García (Valera, 86’), Reyes (Fran Mérida, 79’), Simão; and Agüero (Diego Costa, 70’).
Referee: Fernando Teixeira Vitienes. For Málaga showed yellow cards to Manu Torres (37’) and Jesús Gámez (67’); for Atlético booked Filipe Luis (49’) and Raúl García (84’).
Incidents: Matchday 16 of the League National Championship. La Rosaleda Stadium. Around 28,000 spectators.
GOALS:
0-1. 21’. Tiago heads in a free kick taken from the left by Simão.
0-2. 65’. A free kick taken by Simão is headed back across the goal by Tiago, and Domínguez heads in alone in front of the goal.
0-3. 68’. Another free kick taken by Simão is once again headed into the back of the net by Tiago.
After their recent stumbles, Atlético de Madrid picked themselves up against Málaga with all of their players available with a blow out victory. Quique Sánchez Flores has that blessing of a problem that all managers want of choosing the best from his entire squad, and this time it was Antonio López’s turn to stay home. The surprise was the absence of Diego Forlán, as the head coach opted to go with three men in the central midfield with Raúl García, Tiago and Assunçao, in addition to keeping Simão and Reyes on in the midfield. Reyes was back in the starting line-up after sitting out against Leverkusen and recovering from his muscular problems.
The clash between Málaga and Atlético began with lots of tension and excitement. The home side didn’t want to slip further down into the relegation zone, while Quique Sánchez Flores’ lads knew that their most direct rivals in the battle for European spots had won. Thus, there was no other choice than to go for the win to keep their place in Europe.
With these premises, Atlético de Madrid took control of the ball from the opening kick-off thanks to the work in the middle from Tiago and Assunçao, with the inestimable help of Raúl García, who played on the right wing, and the mobility and speed of Reyes and Simão. It was only a matter of time for the chances and goals to come.
Agüero warned just two minutes in with a shot that sailed high and shortly thereafter Reyes tried his luck with a free kick that Rubén sent over for a corner. The third chance was the prelude to the first goal. Reyes pulled back for Kun, but the Argentine’s shot was just off-target. And the goal arrived thanks to a set piece. Simão whipped in a perfect ball into the area and Tiago beat the defenders to head home with an accurate shot. Atlético had the match as they wanted it midway through the first half.
Nevertheless, Málaga didn’t want to give up early and tried to attack De Gea’s goal in waves. Their first real chance came on a set piece when a Duda free kick became a cross-shot which the Atleti goalkeeper responded to with a sensational shot, parrying wide for a corner.
Atlético, had two more chances before the break to increase their lead, first with a cross from Kun that Reyes headed over, and then a free kick from Simão that was wrapped up by the home goalkeeper.
Manuel Pellegrini decided to go for broke after the half by sending on Fernando and Portillo for Iván Gonzáles and Manu Torres, respectively, and the club from Andalusia began to show signs of life. The ‘blanquiazules’ had more presence in the midfield, although the visitors continues to carry the weight of the play. Rondón tried his luck from distance in minute 52, but the ball went meekly into the hands of De Gea.
Nevertheless, it was only a matter of time. Málaga’s momentum lasted only as long as Atlético wanted it to. Simão was playing like a star and his magic on set pieces was enough to propel Quique Sánchez Flores’ side to two more goals thanks to their ball-control football. First, Domínguez found space alone in front of the goal to head home after Tiago had headed back across the face a free kick from Simão. Then, in the 68th minute, Atlético closed out the win with another Portuguese connection. Simão crossed from the left and again Tiago headed home. 0-3 and time to think about the Copa del Rey fixture on Wednesday against Espanyol.
Quique Sánchez Flores then decided to take off Agüero, who had done an excellent job even though Málaga continue to give him problems, as he has never scored against them. However, it was time to get the most heavily used players some rest after Thursday’s effort in Leverkusen in order to go into Wednesday’s Cup match in top form.
MÁLAGA, 0; ATLÉTICO DE MADRID, 3 (Tiago, 2, and Domínguez)
Málaga: Rubén; Jesús Gámez, Kris, Rosario, Manu Torres (Portillo, 46’); Eliseu, Iván González (Fernando, 46’), Juanito, Duda; Seba Fernández (Quincy, 62’) and Rondón.
Atlético de Madrid: De Gea; Ujfalusi, Perea, Domínguez, Filipe Luis; Tiago, Assunçao; Raúl García (Valera, 86’), Reyes (Fran Mérida, 79’), Simão; and Agüero (Diego Costa, 70’).
Referee: Fernando Teixeira Vitienes. For Málaga showed yellow cards to Manu Torres (37’) and Jesús Gámez (67’); for Atlético booked Filipe Luis (49’) and Raúl García (84’).
Incidents: Matchday 16 of the League National Championship. La Rosaleda Stadium. Around 28,000 spectators.
GOALS:
0-1. 21’. Tiago heads in a free kick taken from the left by Simão.
0-2. 65’. A free kick taken by Simão is headed back across the goal by Tiago, and Domínguez heads in alone in front of the goal.
0-3. 68’. Another free kick taken by Simão is once again headed into the back of the net by Tiago.