Atlético back to winning ways with victory over Mallorca

Goals by winger Samuel Lino and forward Antoine Griezmann helped Atlético Madrid secure a 2-0 victory over Mallorca in LaLiga on Saturday, marking a triumphant return to winning ways for Diego Simeone's side in the manager's milestone 500th game in charge of the club in Spain's top flight.

The match, held at the Civitas Metropolitano, was a crucial one for Atlético, who had been winless in their previous two league games. Lino opened the scoring in the 26th minute, delivering a precise low strike inside the far post after a well-timed pass from forward Giuliano Simeone, who had intercepted possession near the halfway line and surged forward with purpose. The goal electrified the home crowd, giving Atlético the momentum they needed to dominate proceedings.

Despite Mallorca’s early ambition and attempts to press high up the pitch, they struggled to break through Atlético’s defensive organization. Before halftime, visiting goalkeeper Dominik Greif produced a spectacular save to deny Giuliano Simeone from close range, keeping the deficit at just one goal going into the break. Meanwhile, Mallorca’s offensive output remained uninspiring, as they failed to register a single shot on target in the first half.

After the restart, Mallorca displayed renewed energy, increasing their tempo and pressing higher up the field in search of an equalizer. Midfielders Sergi Darder and Dani Rodríguez each came close to leveling the score, forcing Atlético’s defense into moments of vulnerability. However, their offensive push lacked precision, and the hosts quickly reasserted control over the match.

Atlético continued to create chances, with Griezmann nearly doubling the lead in the 65th minute. Defender Robin Le Normand delivered a tantalizing low cross across the face of the goal, but the French forward arrived just a second too late to apply the finishing touch. As the game entered its final moments, Mallorca's defensive resilience began to wane under sustained pressure from the home side.

In stoppage time, Griezmann finally put the game to bed. Pouncing on a loose ball in midfield, he spotted Greif off his line and executed a masterful lob from distance, leaving the goalkeeper stranded and sealing the three points for Atlético. The goal marked Griezmann’s first LaLiga strike since Atlético’s dramatic 4-3 home victory over Sevilla in December, breaking his league scoring drought in emphatic fashion.

This victory propelled Atlético Madrid to 48 points, keeping them firmly in second place in the standings, just one point behind arch-rivals Real Madrid. With Real set to visit Espanyol later on Saturday before facing Atlético in a high-stakes derby at the Bernabeu next weekend, Simeone’s side remains well in contention for the league title.

Mallorca, on the other hand, continued their worrying slump, extending their losing streak across all competitions to five consecutive matches. Last season’s Copa del Rey finalists have found themselves in freefall, remaining in seventh place with 30 points but looking increasingly vulnerable. The Balearic club has yet to score in 2025, a concerning statistic that underscores their struggles in front of goal.

Atlético’s win was made even more special by the milestone achieved by manager Diego Simeone. The Argentine tactician, who has been in charge of the Madrid-based club since 2011, became just the eighth coach in LaLiga history to reach 500 matches in the competition. However, he is the first to accomplish this feat while managing a single club, highlighting his longevity and success at Atlético. Under his guidance, the team has won multiple domestic and international titles, solidifying their status as one of Europe’s elite clubs.

For Mallorca, the defeat marked their longest losing streak since April 2022, and coach Javier Aguirre faces increasing pressure to reverse their fortunes. Their offensive inefficiency and lack of creativity have been glaring weaknesses, and unless they find a way to regain their scoring touch, their hopes of European qualification could slip further out of reach.

Atlético, meanwhile, will now shift their focus to preparing for the upcoming Madrid derby, a fixture that could prove pivotal in their title challenge. With Griezmann finding form again and the team rediscovering their winning mentality, Simeone’s men will be determined to keep the pressure on their city rivals as the LaLiga season reaches a critical juncture.