Champions League action continued at the Vicente Calderón with Atlético Madrid brushing aside FC Astana following strikes from Saúl Ñíguez, Jackson Martínez, Óliver Torres and an unfortunate Denis Dedechko own goal.
After a disappointing loss to S.L. Benfica in the second fixture of the group stage, Diego Simeone knew the importance of taking the crucial three points to avoid the possibility of finishing second in the standings. The coach put his squad’s vast depth into great use with Stefan Savić, Guilherme Siqueira, Saúl Ñíguez and the impressive Yannick Ferreira-Carrasco all being given a chance to feature in the starting XI.
Atléti threatened early with chances falling for Antoine Griezmann, Martínez and Diego Godín, however, Astana held firm in trying to attack on the counter. Simeone’s side would not have to wait long though for the first goal, Saúl’s clever flick from close range slotting into the bottom left-corner to give the hosts the lead.
Saúl would then, in only a matter of minutes after scoring, turn provider by assisting Martínez with the second in what is the Colombian’s first goal in his last eight appearances and only his second overall for los Rojiblancos.
Feeling confident of taking the three points, plans were made for the important La Liga fixture against Valencia this weekend with Tiago being replaced at halftime for Óliver. The substitute would get himself on the scoresheet following a fast break, latching onto Gabi’s pass and chipping the ball with a clever finish which left Astana no chance of salvaging a fightback.
Juanfran adventured forward and fired a threatening low cross initially targeted for substitute Fernando Torres, however, Dedechko unfortunately touched onto the cross and placed the ball into his own net to finish the disappointing evening for the Kazakh side. The result leaves Astana on one point after the first three fixtures, while the win levels Atléti with Group C leaders Benfica on six points following their away defeat against Galatasaray.
Click NEXT for more major talking points
