MY ACCOUNT
Atletico Madrid failed to win a fifth successive match as they were beaten 1-0 away to Mallorca in LaLiga on Wednesday.
Diego Simeone’s side — who had lost two of their previous three games across all competitions — were unable to stop the rot as they offered little threat in what was their final league game before the World Cup break.
Mallorca talisman Vedat Muriqi was unsurprisingly the one to edge Mallorca in front early on and that ultimately proved decisive.
An Alvaro Morata strike was ruled out shortly after but it was by no means a prelude to legal Atletico goals as Los Colchoneros failed to make the most of their dominance of the ball.
Mallorca were good value for their 16th-minute opener, however scrappy it was.
After Jan Oblak spilled Antonio Sanchez’s long-range effort, Antonio Raillo’s follow-up was blocked into Jaume Costa’s path and his scuffed low cross fortunately left Muriqi with an easy finish.
Atletico thought they had a swift response as Morata lifted a lovely finish over Predrag Rajkovic following Rodrigo de Paul’s excellent throughball, only for the goal to be disallowed for offside.
The visitors showed more attacking purpose at the start of the second half but Axel Witsel completely missed the ball when teed up inside the box in the 48th minute.
It was not until the 82nd minute that Atletico threatened again, with Morata failing to bundle over the line from close range, and a few moments later he saw a volley brilliantly saved by Rajkovic.
What does it mean? World Cup break cannot come quick enough for Atletico
Nothing is going right for Atletico at the moment. Although they showed intent in the latter stages on Wednesday, it took them so long to look a genuine threat.
You could even argue they only looked a threat late on because Mallorca let them, as the hosts sat back with the expectation Atletico would struggle to break them down.
It was a strategy that made sense given Atletico’s habit of labouring against packed defences and it ultimately worked. The upcoming six-week break will be welcomed by an Atletico side that routinely looks bereft of ideas and decisiveness.
Muriqi the battering ram
He was in the right place at the right time to put Mallorca in front with what proved to be the winning goal but there was so much more to Muriqi’s performance than just that.
Even though he did not finish the game, he still engaged in more duels (20) than anyone else on the pitch, highlighting just how hard he worked leading the line for Mallorca.
Griezmann shines despite Atletico woes
Antoine Griezmann certainly cannot be accused of shirking attacking responsibility here. His five key passes was at least double that of any other Atletico player and he looked particularly lively towards the end when in the left-wing berth that he occupied amid his breakthrough at Real Sociedad. Unfortunately for him, he could not inspire an equaliser.
What’s next?
Atletico face minnows Almazan in the Copa del Rey on Saturday, though they are now not in LaLiga action again until hosting Elche at the end of December.
