(foto: Getty Images)
Atletico Madrid continued their red-hot form with a commanding 3-1 victory over Slovan Bratislava at the Metropolitano Stadium.
The win marked Atletico’s tenth consecutive triumph across all competitions and further solidified their position in the race for the Champions League knockout stages.
The match also featured a unique Slovenian duel, with Jan Oblak guarding Atletico’s goal and Kenan Bajrić anchoring the Slovak side’s defensive line. Both players share a common history, having played for Olimpija Ljubljana earlier in their careers.
Atletico struck first in the 16th minute, thanks to a stunning effort from Julian Alvarez. The Argentine fired a brilliant shot from the edge of the penalty area, giving the hosts an early lead. Antoine Griezmann doubled Atletico's advantage before halftime, heading home after a precise cross from Marcos Llorente.
Slovan Bratislava briefly sparked hope in the 51st minute when David Strelec converted a penalty to make it 2-1. However, their optimism was short-lived as Griezmann struck again just five minutes later. The Frenchman expertly finished a chance created by Koke, restoring Atletico’s two-goal cushion and sealing the final score at 3-1.
The victory not only bolsters Atletico’s push for Champions League qualification but also highlights their impressive consistency this season. Oblak and his teammates now look ahead to their next challenge as they aim to maintain their winning streak.