Offensive recital in Germany
Great match from our team that completed the pre-season’s best match. Mandžukić scored his first goal as an Atlético. Griezmann and Gamez played their first minutes as red and whites.
Wolfsburg: Benaglio; Malanda, Naldo, Vieirinha, Rodríguez (Schäfer, 76'); Guilavogui (Klich, 80'), Knoche, Seguin (Hunt, 45'), Arnold (Caliguiri, 45'); De Bruyne and Olic.
Atlético de Madrid: Moyá; Gámez (Siqueira, 56'), Godín (Alderweireld, 45'), Miranda, Ansaldi (Griezmann, 56'); Mario (Tiago, 24'), Gabi (Saúl, 75'), Juanfran, Cristian Rodríguez (Koke, 45'); Raúl García and Mandžukić (Héctor, 75').
Referee: The referee booked Raúl García (Min. 42), and Naldo (Min. 61)
Goals: 1-0, min 13. Raúl García puts Atlético ahead with a perfect header from a bounced corner by Gabi.
0-2, min 54. Raúl García overtakes Benaglio after a great backward shot from Koke.
0-3, min 62. Mandzukic scores his first goal as an Atlético from the penalty spot.
1-3, min 67. Naldo scores after a foul that touches Griezmann and Moya can’t save it.
1-4, min 68. Koke skilfully searches for the woodwork with a perfect shot that gets in the goal after hitting the post.
1-5, min 81. Héctor scores before an empty goal after a great play by Griezmann.
Events: Friendly match played at the Volkswagen Arena in the German city of Wolfsburg before 18.000 spectators.
Atlético de Madrid successfully passed the demanding duel against VfL Wolfsburg. The team coached by Simeone gave an offensive recital in a match they dominated from start to finish. Mario Mandžukić scored his first goal as a red and white; and Griezmann and Gamez made their debut with our team. Everything was perfect except for the tremendous blow suffered by Mario Suárez, who was taken off the field on a stretcher with a traumatic head injury. The Spanish player was taken to the hospital to have more tests.
The red and white team took the field eagerly from minute one. The persistence on the attack of our guys had its prize in minute 10 when Raúl García shot masterfully a corner, perfectly thrown by Gabi to get the visitors ahead.
In the second half, the changes brought freshness to a team that seemed unrivalled in the attack. A perfect wall of Koke with Ansaldi left the Spanish alone in the box, which he gave back to Raúl García so he could shoot at Benaglio and score the second goal. Our team did not cease in their attempts to pierce the German goal and the chances kept coming. A great clear from Mandžukić left him alone in the box and after cutting Benaglio, was shot down by Naldo. The Croatian was responsible of transforming the penalty, which was his first goal with Atlético’s shirt.
The locals caught up with a goal from a direct free kick by Naldo. The defender hit the ball hard but his shot hit a defender who deflected its path so that Moya could do nothing to stop it. Just a minute later, a masterpiece by Koke increased the difference on the scoreboard. Incredible goal by the home-grown player who placed a ball out of reach of the local goalkeeper. Griezmann debuted with Atlético and he assisted Atlético’s last goal. The French international sneaked into the area and passed to Héctor so he could score at will the fifth and final goal of the game.