Marcos Llorente and Alvaro Morata scored as Atletico Madrid earned a 2-0 win at Sevilla on Saturday, ratcheting up pressure on home boss Julen Lopetegui.
Koke claimed an assist for the opening goal, on the day he made a record-breaking 554th Atletico appearance, with Llorente taking the plaudits after placing a neat finish into the bottom-left corner.
Sevilla have won just one league game so far this season, and their lack of confidence was clear as Diego Simeone’s men extended their lead through Morata’s finish from a one-on-one chance after 57 minutes.
The result lifts Atleti into fifth in LaLiga’s early-season standings, while Lopetegui appears to be on borrowed time at Sevilla after overseeing another meek reverse.
Atleti made a bright start as Llorente headed wide following a good run from Saul Niguez, before Morata blasted over the crossbar when presented with a decent opening 19 minutes in.
But Llorente was not to be denied after 29 minutes, collecting a fine pass from Koke before shifting the ball to his right foot and drilling beyond Yassine Bounou.
Llorente then sent a fierce effort into the side netting as Sevilla were pinned back, and Kasper Dolberg’s tame header was the sum of the hosts’ efforts before they were booed off at the break.
The half-time introductions of Ivan Rakitic and Jesus Navas saw Sevilla enjoy more possession, but they went 2-0 down when Matheus Cunha took advantage of Jose Angel Carmona’s error before teeing up Morata for a delicate chipped finish.
Cunha then forced Bounou into action with a low effort as the home crowd again made their displeasure heard, before Angel Correa and Antoine Griezmann both missed from point-blank range as Atleti failed to extend their lead.
What does it mean? Atleti come good against under-fire Sevilla
Atletico came into this contest having lost two of their first six league games this season – their joint-highest tally at that stage of a full campaign under Simeone (W4 D0 L2 in 2015-16).
Los Colchoneros, however, produced an accomplished display to see off their beleaguered hosts, who sit 16th in LaLiga’s early standings after a dire start, having finished fourth last term.
Llorente ends long wait
Llorente’s well-taken goal saw him bring an end to the longest goal drought of his Atletico career. The midfielder had gone 51 games without a goal ahead of this contest, last finding the net in any competition in May 2021.
He made light of that wait, however, with a sumptuous finish which left Bounou with no chance and set the visitors up for a routine win.
Koke marks landmark outing with assist
Koke overtook fellow Atletico great Adelardo Rodriguez to become the club’s record appearance-maker, and he marked the occasion in style by teeing up Llorente’s goal.
The 30-year-old, who came through the youth ranks and has won eight major trophies in his distinguished spell with the club, has now recorded two assists this season, and four in his 23 appearances against Sevilla in LaLiga.
What’s next?
Both teams are in Champions League action in midweek. Sevilla host Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday, while Atleti go to Club Brugge on Tuesday.
