A Strong Start and Finish

Atlético de Madrid delivered a commanding home victory over relegation-threatened Mallorca on Sunday, showcasing their strength from start to finish. The match was marked by a strong performance from the team, with several key moments that highlighted their dominance.

Alexander Sørloth opened the scoring in the first half with a simple tap-in, setting the tone for the rest of the game. Although Mallorca attempted to push forward, they never managed to find an equalizer. David López’s own goal sealed the win, and substitute Thiago Almada added a stunning goal in the final minutes, making the scoreline look even more impressive.

With this result, Atlético climbed up the LaLiga table, surpassing Villarreal and moving into third place, just eight points behind leaders Barcelona. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key takeaways from the match.

A Goal from a Throw-In

After 22 minutes, it was clear that Sørloth’s performance against Mallorca was significantly better than his previous one. In October, he was sent off for a studs-up challenge, but three months later, he has become a crucial part of the team. With Álex Baena injured, Sørloth has started eight of the past nine games and is consistently scoring goals.

Sørloth’s goal came from a rare source: a throw-in routine. Giuliano Simeone launched the ball toward Sørloth, who flicked it back toward Marcos Llorente. Despite a clearance by Johan Mojica, the ball found its way to Llorente, who took a shot that was saved by goalkeeper Leo Román. The rebound fell to Sørloth, who scored with ease.

Diego Simeone praised the team’s focus on small details, including throw-ins, which can lead to significant goals. “Nowadays there are coaches just for throw-ins, and there’s growth in these small details,” he said after the match.

Sørloth’s Impact

While I have expressed my personal preference for other players, it’s hard to deny Sørloth’s effectiveness. He is currently Atleti’s top scorer in the league, tied with Julián Alvarez. His recent form has been impressive, with three goals in his past three starts. Until his performance dips, the more technical players like Alvarez and Baena will need to adapt their play to accommodate him.

Llorente’s Luck Changes

In Istanbul, Llorente made a costly mistake by scoring an own goal, which led to a draw against Galatasaray. However, on Sunday, he had a chance to change his luck. In the 75th minute, Llorente combined with Marc Pubill, creating a chance that eventually led to a goal. Although the initial attempt was blocked, the play contributed to the team’s success.

Despite the earlier own goal, Llorente played a crucial role in the match, recovering the ball five times and winning five ground duels. He also provided fans with a discount code for his company, Aureo LightStyle.

The State of the Atleti Bench

With Antoine Griezmann out due to injury, Simeone had to rely heavily on his bench. He used 15 of the 18 available players, and his substitutions proved to be effective. Two of his tactical changes directly led to goals, highlighting the importance of the squad depth.

Thiago Almada was instrumental in securing the win, scoring in the 87th minute with a spectacular goal. This is his third goal of the season, all coming from the bench. Almada’s ability to maintain possession and continue attacking makes him a valuable asset when the team needs to see out a result.

As the January transfer window approaches its end, Atlético faces pressure to make signings that can strengthen the squad. While the club has managed to sell players and generate revenue, the sporting department is still waiting for key additions. Without new signings, the team may struggle to compete in the remaining competitions.

The current squad has 16 players that Simeone relies on, but history suggests that the club may not make significant moves before the end of the season. It remains to be seen whether the team can achieve its goals without major reinforcements.