Match report, an afternoon of debuts, goals and red-and-white hope | OneFootball

As has been the case in recent weeks, Atlético de Madrid faced another La Liga matchday, this time against Valencia, but with their minds on the Champions League. A situation that brought changes to the starting lineup, with even Musso starting and Cholo once again giving opportunities to Obed Vargas and Mendoza, among others, as well as several youth players who have already become regulars.

It all came in a first half in which Atlético started on top and, as the minutes went by, kept pushing into the Valencia box. After 15 minutes, the chances began to come, and Mendoza, after an assist from a very involved Nahuel, got a shot away, but Dimitrieski made a great save. But right after that, Nahuel Molina, from a huge distance, rattled the home side’s goal. An incredible right-footed strike that came back off the woodwork, denying the 0-1. It was an unbelievable chance, and it had been preceded by another long-range effort that lacked accuracy in front of goal.

Simeone’s side were the better team, despite playing with substitutes and several youth players, and they saw Rayane, after a cross from Nahuel, miss by a whisker. From that point on, Valencia, driven on by their fans, started to improve and had a chance through Ramazani. The home forward received the ball and, turning sharply, hit a right-footed shot across goal that struck the woodwork, which prevented the home side from scoring. And with that, the match went into halftime goalless, with a draw that felt somewhat unfair for Simeone’s men.

Dream debuts and historic goals

The second half began with Nahuel Molina getting into the opposition box. However, he would not be the final star of a comfortable afternoon for the Atlético fans. As the minutes passed, only Rayane threatened with an off-target effort. After that, Simeone decided to make changes and first brought on Iker Luque and Cubo, two debutants, and minutes later Koke and Griezmann, two club legends. And after that latter double substitution, the game came to life.

After a great transition, Iker Luque received the ball on the edge of the box, unleashed a right-footed shot, and made it 0-1. Total pandemonium from the academy player, who scored on his debut and put Atlético ahead. The madness continued minutes later, when Griezmann, having received the ball in an onside position, laid it back and Cubo scored another absolute screamer, helped by the passivity of the home defense, who thought the move had been ruled out. Another debutant and another goal to secure all three points for Atlético at Mestalla.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.