The Atlético de Madrid secured a dominant 3-1 away victory against Sevilla FC at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán on Saturday during the third matchday of the LaLiga EA Sports season, according to match reports. Operating without a traditional number nine, Diego Simeone deployed Álex Baena in an advanced role that unlocked the match early, handing Sevilla their first defeat after two opening wins.
Álex Baena Shines in Advanced Role at Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán
Playing before 38,340 spectators in Seville, Atlético capitalized on their opening chance just four minutes into the contest, according to official match accounts. Kang-in Lee filtered a precise pass behind the home defense, allowing Baena to break the line and slot a clean, crossed finish past the goalkeeper. The tactical gamble by manager Diego Simeone to bypass a fixed striker yielded immediate results as Sevilla’s backline struggled to lock down the fluid movement of the visiting midfield.
Baena doubled his personal tally and extended Atlético’s lead to 3-0 in the 33rd minute, following an earlier strike from Ademola Lookman in the 26th minute. Match chronicles noted that Baena drifted interchangeably between a central attacking midfielder, a withdrawn playmaker, and a false nine, leaving Sevilla’s defenders chasing shadows throughout a lopsided first half.
Sevilla Responds After the Break Amid Fan Frustration
Despite being outclassed before halftime—where chances from Lookman and Grimaldo could have further widened the gap—Sevilla showed renewed spirit in the second half. Goalkeeper Oblak faced a flurry of attacks, turning away consecutive efforts from Miguel Sierra and a subsequent remate from Guridi, as reported by match observers.
Sevilla’s persistence paid off in the 67th minute when Miguel Sierra surged forward to score, narrowing the deficit to 1-3. The goal injected life into the home crowd, some of whom had previously voiced discontent toward the club’s hierarchy. The surge forced Atlético onto the defensive for the final half-hour, though Diego Simeone’s side preserved their two-goal cushion to seal the three points.
Match Statistics and Pre-Match Ceremonies
The fixture marked a notable milestone for Sevilla defender Kike Salas, who received a commemorative framed jersey ahead of kickoff to honor his 100th official appearance for the club, presented by club ambassador Pablo Blanco and youth team captains. Referee Javier Alberola, representing the Comité Castellanomanchego, cautioned Marcos Llorente and Marc Pubill for Atlético, alongside Isaac Romero and Suazo for Sevilla.
With this result, Atlético de Madrid builds momentum following a challenging start that included a season-opening fixture against Málaga CF and a gritty draw against Villarreal CF at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano. The Rojiblancos successfully navigated the fixture while managing ongoing roster discussions.
What Comes Next in LaLiga
Both clubs return to league action following the upcoming international break and schedule checkpoints. Fans can follow official club channels and the official LaLiga platform for fixture updates, confirmed match times, and broadcast details.
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