Atletico Madrid secured a valuable 1-1 draw away to VfB Stuttgart on Tuesday, extending their unbeaten run in the Champions League. This result on 20 October extends their recent form to five matches unbeaten, with four wins and a draw. Julián Álvarez scored the equaliser for the Spanish side, cancelling out Jamie Leweling's opener in a match that was complicated by Morten Hjulmand's second-half red card.
Simeone's side, who sit second in La Liga with 22 points from nine games, with a record of seven wins, one draw and one loss, lined up in a 4-4-2 formation. The first half was dominated by the hosts and Stuttgart took the lead in the 36th minute through Leweling's strike, which beat Oblak. Simeone reacted at half-time by bringing on Ademola Lookman, and the change paid off immediately. Lookman set up Julián Álvarez, who levelled the score just two minutes after the restart.
Red card shapes the finale
The dynamic of the match shifted dramatically in the 64th minute when Morten Hjulmand was sent off for a serious foul, leaving Atletico with ten men. Despite being a player down, the Spanish side defended resolutely and withstood late pressure from Stuttgart, who enjoyed 54% possession and had 18 shots. Oblak was key with four saves to preserve the point. Simeone himself was booked for dissent in the closing stages.
This result extends Atletico's unbeaten run to five matches across all competitions, a sequence that includes wins over Espanyol, Manchester United, Alaves and Real Madrid. Forward Álex Baena, the team's top scorer this season with five goals in nine appearances, was substituted in the second half. The team, which has scored 19 goals and conceded eight in the league, now turns to the next fixture at the Metropolitano, where they host Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday 24 October in the tenth round of La Liga. The side, which is five points behind leaders Barcelona, will look to continue their positive momentum.
Argentine manager Diego Simeone highlighted Julián Álvarez's effort after the draw against Stuttgart. Simeone stated: "The match he played was with incredible effort. It makes me happy for him, we need him". The Argentine forward, who assisted Baena for the winning goal against Espanyol on October 17th, scored his first Champions League goal of the season in the 47th minute.
The club confirmed on Wednesday that midfielder Morten Hjulmand will be sanctioned by UEFA following his red card in Stuttgart. Hjulmand will miss the next Champions League match. The team, still second in La Liga with 22 points, is already thinking about Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday at the Metropolitano.
Manager Diego Simeone valued the point earned in Germany. Simeone stated: "The draw is positive, we left a difficult ground with ten men". The coach admitted the team was only superior for 15 minutes in Stuttgart. Atlético thus have four points from a possible nine in the Champions League group stage. The team, second in La Liga, is already thinking about Deportivo.
Manager Diego Simeone highlighted Julián Álvarez's goal in Stuttgart. Simeone stated: "The goal was a great goal. I am happy for him, we need him". The Argentine coach added that the team was taking the game where they wanted until Hjulmand's sending off. Atlético, who remain second in La Liga with 22 points, keep their five-game unbeaten run.
Atletico Madrid have taken four points from a possible nine in the Champions League after the draw in Stuttgart, the club confirmed. The team, second in La Liga with 22 points, maintains its five-match unbeaten run. Manager Diego Simeone valued the point: "The draw is positive, we left a difficult ground with ten men". The red-and-white side are already thinking about Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday at the Metropolitano.
The club confirmed that Julián Álvarez had gone 174 days without scoring before his goal in Stuttgart. The Argentine ended that drought in the 47th minute to level the match. Atlético, still second in La Liga with 22 points, maintains its five-match unbeaten run. The team is already thinking about Deportivo La Coruña on Saturday at the Metropolitano.
