Atlético de Madrid women thrash St. Pölten in Champions return
Atlético de Madrid's women's team returned triumphantly to the Champions League after four years, thrashing St. Pölten 6-0 at the NÖ Arena. Coach Víctor Martín's side displayed maturity and tactical superiority against an inferior opponent. The win places Atlético on the Spanish podium in the league phase, behind Barcelona and ahead of Real Madrid.
At the NÖ Arena in St. Pölten, the rojiblancas delivered an incontestable and collective thrashing, scoring six goals from five different scorers against a physically and tactically inferior rival. Coach Víctor Martín's team imposed the maturity it has found this year, with improved pressure, order, and play without the ball, along with the serenity of their current form: unbeaten this season and second in Liga F. The goal now is to surpass the quarterfinals reached in 2020.
Atlético rediscovered its fun at the rhythm of its Brazilian samba: Gio Garbelini and Luany dynamited the Austrian defense with speed. From the start, the rojiblancas, with filtered passes from Gaby García or Fiamma, repeatedly punished St. Pölten's backline with little opposition. The hosts retreated to avoid an even bigger thrashing, but Atlético then combined calmly to keep piercing the area.
In the few counterattacks St. Pölten managed to mount, they barely had time to dream, as the rojiblancas, serious and attentive, quickly retreated to neutralize any small attempt. With this victory, the first matchday of the new league phase in the Champions closes with a Spanish podium: Barcelona leads, followed by Atlético and Real Madrid. The rojiblancas head into their big clash on Sunday against a titanic Barça full of momentum.