Atlético Madrid did well on Saturday evening in the battle for a Champions League ticket. Coach Diego Simeone's team was too strong for Real Mallorca 0-1, thanks to a goal from Rodrigo Riquelme. Thanks to the victory, the gap between number four Atlético and number five Athletic Club is now six points again. Mallorca is now sixteenth and still has to fear relegation.

Atlético still had to do without Memphis Depay, who was recovering from a muscle injury. In the meantime, on the Mallorca side, there was a starting place for a former PSV player: Toni Lato.

The visitors got off to a great start, as the score was 0-1 within five minutes. The ball ended up on the edge of the penalty area for Riquelme, who managed to shake off two defenders with his beautiful shot and then shot into the short corner.

WOW! What a wonderful goal?? Rodrigo Riquelme hits the target after a great move ?????#ZiggoSport #LaLiga #RCDMallorcaAtleti pic.twitter.com/nqi5zF6JAt

— Ziggo Sport Voetbal (@ZS_Voetbal) May 4, 2024

Atlético, which controlled the match well, was also the better side in the remainder of the first act. It was even close to 0-2 via Mario Hermoso, but his shot ended up just wide of the post and into the side netting.

Mallorca had a difficult time, but got its first chance just before half time. However, Vedat Muriqi's header did not cause any problems for goalkeeper Jan Oblak.

At the start of the second half, both teams had another good opportunity. First Marcos Llorente shot high in a promising position after a good pass from Samuel Lino, a little later Oblak made a nice save on a shot by Sergi Darder at the other end.

Mallorca continued to look for the equalizer in the final phase. It was close through substitute Cyle Larin, among others, but again Oblak saved the day. Even after that, Atlético held firm.

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