Atletico Madrid on Saturday to continue their poor start to the LaLiga campaign, having won only one match in all competitions so far this season. The record six-time Europa League winners are 15th in the league standings on five points, one above the relegation zone. It's Sevilla's worst start to a league season since being promoted back to the top-flight in 2001.
Marcos Llorente scored Atletico's first in the 29th minute, firing a shot to the right of the goalkeeper and into the back of the net. Spain forward Alvaro Morata secured the points in the 57th minute, lobbing goalkeeper Bono a brilliant chip. Atletico's win lifted them to fifth on 13 points, five behind city rivals and leaders Real Madrid.
It was a solid and dominant performance by Atletico who bounced back after two consecutive losses against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League and Real in the league. Coach Diego Simeone was able to revert to his typical defensive style thanks to having defenders Jose Maria Gimenez and Stefan Savic back from injury. Simeone was also finally able to start Axel Witsel as a midfielder instead of improvising the Belgium veteran as a central defender and the 33-year-old was one of Atletico's best players.
Atletico took the lead through Llorente after Sevilla lost the ball from a throw-in close to their own area. Koke played the ball the left to Llorente who was all alone inside the box to slot the ball in, ending his LaLiga scoring drought that lasted 47 matches. His last strike in the league was on May 1, 2021, in Atletico's 1-0 win at Elche.
"I'm happy but (mainly) for what the team showed as a collective effort. It was a complete game," Llorente told DAZN. "Scoring and winning is good but I'm happier for way we played.
Boxing
Sevilla
Morata
as
score
Axel Witsel
Marcos Llorente
Diego Simeone
Alvaro Morata
Stefan Savic