Rayo Vallecano defeat Lookman’s Atletico days after sumptuous Barca win

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Rayo Vallecano defeat Lookman’s Atletico days after sumptuous Barca win
Atletico Madrid players celebrating their goal against Barcelona. Photo by IMAGO

Atletico Madrid were unable to capitalise on their midweek win over Barcelona today as they fell short to Rayo Vallecano, losing 3-0, Afrik Foot reports.

Ademola Lookman, Antoine Griezmann, and Julian Alvarez were all included in the starting lineup against Hansi Flick’s men on Thursday, with the trio scoring as Los Rojiblancos cruised to a 4-0 win.

However, Atletico boss Diego Simeone made a strange decision, opting to rest nine of the eleven players who featured against Barca ahead of the game against Rayo at the Estadio Olimpico de la Cartuja.

Ademola Lookman, Julian Alvarez, Antoine Griezmann, Marco Llorente, Koke, Giuliano Simeone, Marc Pubill, David Hancko, and Juan Musso were all dropped to the bench.

Atletico's Ademola Lookman goes past Barcelona's Lamine Yamal
Atletico’s Ademola Lookman goes past Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal. Photo by IMAGO

Rayo Vallecano 3-0 Atlético Madrid

Simeone’s decision backfired as Inigo Perez’s side sealed a 3-0 win in front of their home fans to go a point clear of the relegation places on the La Liga table.

Fran Perez broke the deadlock in the 40th minute. The 23-year-old winger tapped home in the six-yard box after Ilias Akhomach’s brilliant cross came in from the right-flank.

Five minutes later, the home side doubled the lead. This time, the defensive midfielder Oscar Valentin found the back of the net.

Fran Perez celebrating after scoring a goal during the game between Rayo Vallecano and Atletico de Madrid
Fran Perez celebrates after scoring a goal during the game between Rayo Vallecano and Atlético de Madrid. Photo by IMAGO

The 31-year-old poked the ball into an empty goal after Jan Oblak initially denied Isi Palazon from close range.

In a bid to shake things up and probably reduce the deficit, Diego Simeone made five changes before the 65th minute, bringing in Robin Le Normand, Obed Vargas, Julian Alvarez, Marcos Llorente and Ademola Lookman.

Diego Pablo Simeone, head coach of Atletico de Madrid
Diego Pablo Simeone, head coach of Atlético de Madrid. Photo by IMAGO

Those changes yielded no effect as Rayo Vallecano scored their third goal from the game through Nobel Mendy. The young centre-back rose highest to head home from an Alvaro Garcia cross.

Atletico Madrid have now dropped into fourth on the La Liga table, level on points with Villareal.

<!-- Author Start -->Adefolahan Guerreiro<!-- Author End -->

Adefolahan Guerreiro

Sports Writer

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