Atlético de Madrid U19 side achieved a valuable away win on Belgian soil (1-3) and maintain up on top of the Group B table. Brugges hosted the third UEFA Youth League fixture and Fernando Torres' side displayed the same solidity shown in previous rounds of the competition, with goals from Abde, Julio, and Gismera. Laurens Goamare scored on the 90th minute for the home side. With three games played Red-and-whites have 9 points.

Fernando Torres spoke to the club’s official media after the game and highlighted his satisfaction with the player’s performance: "Happy to win again, to get all three points... To face a difficult game, in a new scenario for them, in Europe, with everything around this competition and winning”.

“The game was difficult, especially in the first half. They are a great team that have a lot of quality, with decisive players. We could defend well and at half-time adjust our pressing work to have our chances. It is a fair result, we left with the bad taste of conceding a goal, and not having kept a clean sheet for the third game in a row, but there is always room for improvement and that is what we have to work on”, he added.

Regarding the competition itself and what it contributes to the development of a youth player, Fernando said “it is the most important thing for them, mentally adapting to different situations. Being a team in every moment, reacting to mistakes, understanding that each mistake gives you the opportunity to do better the next time and that you need to have confidence in your teammates”.

¡VAAAAAAMOS! ?????? pic.twitter.com/PFtTclP2SA

— Atleti Academia (@AtletiAcademia) October 4, 2022

“Being a team is the most important and difficult job at this age because they know well how to play football. They need to go through new situations, many of them who play more minutes have fewer after, and others who have less see how with work they have more: managing these situations within collective thinking is something complicated. The victory helps to grow and reinforce what we are trying to teach them. Congratulations to the boys, who have been doing very well and deserve it”.

Torres sees something very positive their place on the table, although he called to forget the victories in order to keep improving: “It is a very important step, but I always defend the idea that flattery weakens, as when things are going very well it is easier to relax. We will try to find what needs to be improved, encourage and motivate them to find that improvement. Thinking about winning three points more against Brugge, so that would almost give us the qualification and that's what we are working on. Trying to reduce the euphoria: enjoy today and from tomorrow what we have done is not enough”.

This third consecutive victory greatly lights the way to the next round of UEFA Youth League knock out phase, as it allows the Red-and-whites to maintain on top. Next fixture is scheduled for the following week, as Brujas will make the trip to Madrid on Wednesday, October 12.

Importante victoria en Brujas para continuar como líderes de grupo ????

— Atleti Academia (@AtletiAcademia) October 4, 2022