Atlético Madrid are back to Champions League duty with effort, quality game and all three points in one of the two hardest away group fixtures. The performance of the team was high-level in a difficult pitch -Philips Stadium- winning the game with a single goal by Saúl Ñíguez in the first half (42’). Oblak had a hand on the win after deny Guardado from the spot before the break. The second half was under Spanish control but the defence was under pressure in the last stages of the game. Fernando Torres played the last 13 minutes of the game after replacing Ñíguez. Meanwhile in Munich locals FC Bayern thrashed Rostov 5-0 and climb up to top of the group.

Atlético Madrid displayed an amazing debut at the Philips Stadion, with top class football. First-touch game, walls, triangulations and a lot of verticality, something that surprised PSV eindhoven. But the response of the Dutch was quick and the match was far from being one of those seen last season.

With a fearsome midfield, Gabi, Saúl, Koke and Gaitán, Atlético generated a great deal of danger for the Dutch. Koke, Saúl and Filipe tried Zoet until Saúl managed to score on 43 minutes. Just on the last minute, a non-existing penalty from Giménez on Narsingh that was executed by Guardado and Oblak made a sensational save.

The second half continued on the same path, with Atlético controlling the gale and PSV having a hard time trying to reach our area. Oblak was another spectator and it was Zoet who was trying to evade Atlético’s attacks. There was time for Tiago to enter the playing field to control the game more and so Carrasco and Torres could have minutes. First and important triumph of Atlético in this Group Stage of the Champions League.

- Match stats:

PSV: Zoet; Brenet, Isimat, Héctor Moreno, Willems; Pröpper, Hendrix (Ramselaar, 67’), Schwaab (Pereiro, 80’), Guardado; De Jong and Narsingh (Bergwijn, 80’).

Atlético de Madrid: Oblak; Juanfran, Godín, Giménez, Filipe Luis; Gabi, Koke, Saúl (Fernando Torres, 77’), Gaitán (Tiago, 60’); Griezmann and Gameiro (Carrasco, 65’).

Referee: Martin Atkinson (England). Booked the home player Héctor Moreno (21’); and the red and white Gabi (30’) and Giménez (45’).

Goals:

0-1 (43’) Saúl, from half a scissor kick, scores close to the right post of Zoet.

- Match report by fernando9torres.com / clubatleticodemadrid.com