Report: Juvenil A hit five to keep their unbeaten run in Europe 👏 | OneFootball

After the victory in London, and the league triumphs, Atlético de Madrid Juvenil A hosts Royale Union Saint-Gilloise in Alcalá de Henares for the fourth matchday of the UEFA Youth League. The red and whites remain unbeaten in the 3 matches played, with victories against Eintracht Frankfurt at home and Arsenal away, as well as a goalless draw in Liverpool.

Ángel Donato's team lined up as follows: Diego Piqueras; Cristian Grant, Jorge Domínguez, Miguel Gil, Diego Sancho; Sergio Esteban, Taufik Seidu, Javier Tena, Jesús Barrios; Miguel Cubo, Sergio Vinatea. A very offensive lineup for the youth team, with the advantage of having impactful substitutes like Rubén Gómez, Daniel Fitzgerald, Gonzalo Gross, Gabriel Obama, and more.

In the first half, the red and whites' play was somewhat sluggish. Although Atleti could progress by attacking space directly, the Belgians were particularly attentive in intercepting and counterattacking. The match was evenly matched until, after unopposed chances from Sergio Esteban and Jesús Barrios, it was the striker who, after a header in the area by Jorge Domínguez, scored the first goal of the match with a bicycle kick almost from the ground. Just like Fernando Torres against Celta when the current Madrileño coach played in the first team.

As if that wasn't enough, in another messy play in the opponent's area, Miguel Cubo pulled off a stunning turn on a dime, finishing with a toe-poke to make it 2-0 on the scoreboard. Despite not having a brilliant first half in terms of play, the team gradually improved and earned the reward of goals just before the break.

As the second half began, the team continued in the same vein and sent another warning to the Belgians with a shot off the post by Javi Tena. Miguel Cubo kept trying and Diego Sancho took a long-distance shot, prompting a very good save from the visiting goalkeeper. Piqueras blocked the only dangerous approach from the opponent through Sekou Keita.

Romeo Hueso, who had been injured weeks earlier and is now recovered, was the first red and white substitution, replacing Cristian Grant on the right wing. The second 45 minutes were very comfortable for Donato's team, which hardly had to exert itself in defense and reached the opponent's area with relative ease. And thus came the third goal, after a counterattack led by Sergio Vinatea who assisted Sergio Esteban to score his personal double. A great match from the player from Elche, who is gradually revealing himself as the great scorer he has always been in the youth categories.

Rubén Gómez and Saúl Fernández came on for Sergio Vinatea and Javi Tena. There was another shot off the woodwork by the red and whites between Rubén Gomez and Sergio Esteban, but without luck. Jesús Barrios, who had a good match but was unlucky in front of goal, could have scored his ninth goal of the season. Fitzgerald and Gabriel Obama replaced Miguel Cubo and Sergio Esteban as the last changes. Miguel Gil saw a direct red card as the last man when an opponent was breaking away taking advantage of an error by Saúl Fernández, but the free-kick shot hit the post and the youth team was saved.

And there was still time for the 5-0. Rubén Gómez passed the ball to Fitzgerald, who assisted Gabriel Obama and the striker finished easily for the fifth goal. 

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