Atletico Madrid’s underwhelming start to the 2023-24 La Liga season persisted with a 1-1 draw against Mallorca at the Estadi Mallorca Son Moix. This disappointing result, marked by a missed penalty and a late equalizer conceded despite having a man advantage, leaves Atletico languishing in 12th place after five matches, having secured only a single victory. The match unfolded against the backdrop of Atletico’s midweek Champions League defeat to Liverpool, adding to the pressure on Diego Simeone’s squad to deliver a positive performance.
Simeone welcomed back Julian Alvarez from injury, partnering him with Giacomo Raspadori in attack, a decision that saw both Antoine Griezmann and Alexander Sorloth start on the bench. Atletico began the game brightly, dominating possession and creating several promising opportunities. Mallorca goalkeeper Leo Roman emerged as a key figure for the home side early on, producing a series of crucial saves to keep Atletico at bay. His first major intervention came when he tipped Pablo Barrios’s long-range effort onto the post. The Spanish goalkeeper then denied Alvarez from the penalty spot after Antonio Raillo was penalized for handling David Hancko’s shot inside the box, a pivotal moment that ultimately cost Atletico dearly.
Despite controlling the game’s tempo and enjoying the lion’s share of possession, Atletico struggled to convert their dominance into goals. Roman continued to frustrate the visitors, making another excellent save to deny Alvarez from close range in the second half. Atletico’s task was further complicated when substitute Alexander Sorloth, who had replaced Raspadori at halftime, received a straight red card in the 72nd minute for a reckless challenge on Raillo. This dismissal seemed to galvanize Mallorca, who sensed an opportunity to capitalize on their numerical advantage.
However, against the run of play, Atletico finally broke the deadlock. Marcos Llorente’s powerful low shot was parried by Roman, but Conor Gallagher reacted quickest to slot home the rebound, giving Atletico a late lead in the 77th minute. This goal, scored while a man down, appeared to set Atletico on course for a hard-fought victory. However, their defensive resilience faltered in the closing stages.
With just five minutes remaining, Mallorca found the equalizer through Vedat Muriqi. Jan Virgili delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, and Muriqi rose highest to head the ball past Jan Oblak, restoring parity and silencing the travelling Atletico supporters. The closing minutes were frantic as Mallorca, buoyed by the equalizer, pressed forward in search of a winner. Former Barcelona midfielder Pablo Torre tested Oblak with a curling effort, but the Atletico goalkeeper was equal to the task, ensuring the match ended in a frustrating draw for both sides.
The result leaves Atletico Madrid in a precarious position early in the season. Their inability to convert chances, coupled with defensive vulnerabilities and disciplinary issues, has hindered their progress. Diego Simeone faces increasing pressure to address these shortcomings and steer his team back on track. Mallorca, despite their lowly league position, will take encouragement from their performance, demonstrating resilience and the ability to capitalize on opportunities. The draw provides a temporary reprieve but underscores the need for consistent improvement to climb out of the relegation zone. For Atletico, the focus now shifts to regrouping and preparing for their next challenge as they aim to reignite their season and climb the La Liga table. The missed penalty and late conceded goal will undoubtedly linger in their minds, serving as a reminder of the fine margins that can determine success in a demanding league.
