Atlético Madrid 3-1 Union Saint-Gilloise: Simeone’s side stroll to victory at the Metropolitano | OneFootball

Atlético Madrid made light work of Union Saint-Gilloise to move up the Champions League table following goals from Julián Alvarez, Conor Gallagher and Marcos Llorente.

Ross Sykes’ goal for the Belgian champions had threatened to put the cat among the pigeons, but Atléti held on to secure a much-needed win after a rocky start to their European season.

As it happened

Atlético Madrid needed a strong performance and win tonight in order to rescue some hope of making their stamp on this Champions League campaign. They started slowly, and the Belgian side pressed early, creating chances from the get-go and Rob Schoofs almost gave the Union Saint-Gilloise the lead inside five minutes. USG were good value during the opening part of the game until Atléti began to take control of proceedings. Centre half José María Giménez missed a good chance to give the Spanish side a lead with just over half an hour played.

It wasn’t long after this chance that Atléti took the lead. Simeone’s most dangerous player Alvarez saw his effort glide past USG goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen following a textbook counter attack. Atléti made their power and pace count for the first time and USG didn’t have an answer. This goal clearly gave them confidence, and Simeone’s side began hunting for their second to take the game away from their visitors. They nearly doubled their advantage when Antoine Griezmann bumbled home from close range. However, after a VAR review, the Frenchman was deemed to be offside and the Spaniards went into half time with just a goal advantage.

Atléti started the second half as they ended the first. Chances went awry from defender Dávid Hancko and winger Giuliano Simeone; it was a dominant display and it wouldn’t be long until the hosts found their well-deserved second. After knocking on the door for nearly an entire half, Simeone was rewarded for his side’s patience when Gallagher was on the receiving end of yet another quick counter attack. The ball fell luckily to the Englishman but his finish was more than worthy of the second.

With the game clearly away from USG, Atléti took their eye off the ball and allowed the visitors to come back into the game. Chances for striker Promise David became the norm into the later stages of the second half before defender Sykes headed home from a strong set piece to cause some nerves at the Estadio Metropolitano.

The Atléti fear didn’t last for long however; they broke free from the USG press and a Llorente effort flew home from close-range to round off a slightly nervy but impressive display from Simeone and his side.

The Line-Ups

ATM: Oblak; Molina, Le Normand, Hancko, Ruggeri; Simeone, Barrios, Koke, Baena; Griezmann, Alvarez

USG: Scherpen; Mac Allister, Burgess, Sykes; Khalaili, Zorgane, Van De Perre, Schoofs, Niang; Ait El Hadj, Rodríguez