Atletico back to four-middable best with dominating win over Celta Vigo
Celta had endured a rocky start to the league campaign themselves, but made the trip to the capital in rejuvenated form, having picked up consecutive league wins for the first time in 2022.
Perhaps still stinging from Atletico’s league double over them last season, the Galicians started with lightning in their boots, fueling a frantic opening period and defying the famous ‘Enamorado del Atleti’ warcry that bellowed across the stands.
In typical fashion, Atletico composed themselves, and with the scorching Madrilean sun now fully set on the Metropolitano Stadium, found the breakthrough before the 10-minute mark.
A silky spell of Atleti passing saw Angel Correa finish with aplomb from inside the box, with his samba celebration as stylish as the buildup to the opener itself.
Celta weren’t intimidated however, and almost responded immediately through Iago Aspas’ 20-yard effort, which smashed the Atleti woodwork and served as a warning to the confident hosts.
Clearly not fatigued following a thrilling UEFA Champions League triumph against Porto in midweek, Atletico flew out of the traps after the break, and Rodrigo De Paul doubled his side’s lead with a composed finish.
Despite their players' shouts being drowned out by Atleti’s cauldron of noise, Celta fought valiantly, but were perhaps worried by the introduction of in-form Antoine Griezmann.
However, it was Yannick Carrasco who instead hammered the final nail into the Celta coffin with a curled finish, but Celta soon found a consolation through Gabri Veiga, whose effort took a slight deflection to leave stand-in Atletico goalkeeper Ivo Grbic with little hope.
Atletico were just too hot for the visitors this evening, and grabbed a fourth in the closing stages through an Unai Nunez own goal, to secure a victory that closes the gap on arch-rivals Real Madrid.
Meanwhile, there is plenty for Celta manager Eduardo Coudet to reflect on, with his Celta side having now won on just one of their last 11 LaLiga trips.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Angel Correa (Atletico Madrid)