LaLiga: Atletico Madrid Edges Mallorca 1-0 in Lackluster Contest

Atletico Madrid secures 1-0 win at Mallorca, moving to third in La Liga

The match's early stages were uneventful until the 10th minute, when...

Atletico Madrid earns 1-0 win at Mallorca, despite being outplayed. Julián Alvarez's goal secures Los Colchoneros' fourth consecutive victory, lifting them to third in La Liga.

Julián Alvarez's solitary strike secured Atletico Madrid's 1-0 victory over Mallorca, extending their winning streak to four games across all competitions.

The match was characterized by a dull first half, with the second half following a similar pattern until a costly Mallorca defensive mistake proved decisive. Atletico Madrid capitalized on the error, scoring from one of only two shots on target.

Atletico Madrid's sturdy defense remained impenetrable, earning their latest clean sheet and cementing their status as La Liga's best defense. With just seven goals conceded this season, Los Colchoneros continue to showcase their resilience.

The win propels Atletico Madrid to third in La Liga, narrowly behind city rivals Real Madrid, who have a game in hand. Mallorca remains eighth but will lament missing a chance to gain valuable points and potentially enter the European qualification spots.

The match's early stages were uneventful until the 10th minute, when Robert Navarro outmaneuvered Clément Lenglet on the edge of the box, prompting the French defender to commit a foul and earn an early yellow card.

Mallorca capitalized on the opportunity with a free kick, but Samú Costa's effort was poorly executed, allowing Jan Oblak to collect the ball with ease at the far post.

As the first half progressed, the stalemate persisted. Atletico Madrid adopted a defensive posture, awaiting chances to counterattack, while Mallorca's center backs exchanged passes in search of a weakness in Los Colchoneros' resilient defense.

Atletico Madrid's first shot, coming in the 30th minute, epitomized the game's sluggish pace. Julián Alvarez was forced to drop deep, resulting in a wayward long-range effort that swerved high and wide of the target, underscoring the lack of clear-cut opportunities.

The match's first genuine opportunity arose in the 42nd minute, courtesy of an exquisite curling cross from the right flank. Mallorca's Cyle Larin met the ball with a powerful header, forcing Jan Oblak into an acrobatic save, tipping the shot over the crossbar.

At halftime, the score remained 0-0, reflecting the lack of sustained pressure from either side. The contest's slow tempo drew comparisons to a chess match, desperately needing a spark from either team to inject life into the game.

The second half mirrored the first, with both teams struggling to create offense amidst sluggish passing patterns and static movements. Mallorca earned a free kick on the edge of the box after Clement Lenglet fouled Larin, but the defender avoided a second yellow card.

Sergi Darder's ambitious free kick attempted to catch Oblak off guard, but his shot sneaked under the four-man wall and was comfortably saved by the Atletico Madrid goalkeeper.

Against the run of play, Atletico Madrid seized the lead in the 60th minute. Jan Oblak's long pass exploited Mallorca's exposed defense, finding Giuliano Simeone, who teed up Julián Alvarez for a simple tap-in into an empty net.

Diego Simeone swiftly responded to the goal by making four substitutions, introducing Axel Witsel, Alexander Sørloth, Rodrigo De Paul, and Ángel Correa for Simeone, Alvarez, Clément Lenglet, and Antoine Griezmann.

Moments later, Atletico Madrid threatened again as Rodrigo Riquelme broke through Mallorca's defense. However, he opted to shoot instead of passing to Correa, allowing Dominik Greif to make a straightforward save.

Trailing, Mallorca manager Jagoba Arrasate made two sets of double substitutions within five minutes. Abdón Prats, Antonio Sánchez, Dani Rodríguez, and Chiquinho replaced Sergi Darder, Cyle Larin, Robert Navarro, and Pablo Maffeo.

Mallorca's best chance came in the 85th minute when Prats latched onto a long pass, but Jan Oblak rushed out to block the shot.

Atletico Madrid typically shut down the game, securing their fourth consecutive victory and moving to third in La Liga. However, they remain 11 points adrift of leaders Barcelona.

In a match devoid of excitement, Mallorca midfielder Sergi Darder emerged as a rare bright spot. His creative spark illuminated an otherwise dull contest.

Darder's impressive performance saw him drive most of Mallorca's attacking endeavors, while also demonstrating his defensive acumen by covering for his teammates' shortcomings. Despite ultimately ending on the losing side, Darder's tireless efforts and vision on the pitch made him the standout player.