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Atlético back with a bang at PSV
Derek Brookman
UEFA
Wednesday 17 September 2008
Club Atlético de Madrid
marked their first appearance in the UEFA Champions
League for eleven years with a resounding 3-0 victory
against PSV Eindhoven as Sergio Agüero gave further
notice of his burgeoning talents.
Slick and incisive
Agüero scored twice in a first half which saw his
side surge forward, all slick combinations and incisive
passing as Huub Stevens' men were driven on to the back
foot. The Eredivisie champions struggled to gain any
measure of control, and it came as little surprise when
Portuguese midfielder Maniche added a third after the
break. PSV continued to plug away, creating a couple
of half chances, but Atlético were seldom troubled
and the pressure will be on the Dutch side when they
travel to Liverpool FC for their next Group D outing
in a fortnight.
Lively start
It proved a tepid end to a match that had exploded into
life with chances at both ends in a breathless opening
minute. First Ibrahim Afellay whipped in a cross from
the right that Leo Franco in the visitors' goal was
grateful to gather and within seconds PSV counterpart
Andreas Isaksson saved well after Agüero had broken
free. Soon after Nordin Amrabat volleyed over after
more good work by Afellay, but it was the visitors who
were making most of the running, and took the lead on
nine minutes.
Agüero strikes
Maniche carved open the home defence and fed Luis García,
whose low cross was turned in from close range by Agüero.
Simão almost extended his side's lead immediately
but his drive from just outside the box was turned behind
by Isaksson – the Spanish side were relishing their
return to a stage they had last graced in 1996/97. PSV
were just trying to hold on, and Carlos Salcido did
well to hook a dangerous Agüero cross clear.
Double trouble
The hosts held on, and fashioned their first real chance
on 35 minutes when Timmy Simons released Danny Koevermans,
but Franco raced from his line to clear. A minute later
it was 2-0. Florent Sinama Pongolle, only just introduced
in place of the injured Diego Forlán, fed Agüero,
and the Argentinian turned Jérémie Bréchet
and fired high into the net. The half drew to a close
with Atlético still in the ascendancy, but Edison
Méndez stirred the home support immediately after
the restart with a stinging long-range effort that forced
Franco to tip over.
Ruthless Maniche
The Ecuadorian international was soon the villain at
the other end, caught in possession by Simão
after 54 minutes. Two passes later the ball reached
Maniche, who duly dispatched it beyond Isaksson. Koevermans
nearly pulled a goal back just after the hour mark,
but his header from Amrabat's cross flashed wide. The
points secured, the visitors' intensity inevitably dropped
and PSV rallied towards the end as Danko Lazovic forced
Franco into action but it was too little, too late.
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