Atlético Madrid suffered a defeat at Rayo Vallecano a few days after its 4-0 victory against FC Barcelona in the Copa del Rey. Coach Diego Simeone changed his lineup and rested several regulars, but that rotation did not have the desired effect.
The home side distanced themselves before halftime. Francisico Pérez opened the scoring, after which Óscar Valentín doubled the lead. Atlético failed to turn the game around after the break and continued to struggle with the same problems as in the first half.
Rayo Vallecano remained the better team and finally put the match to bed through Nobel Mendy, who put the 3-0 final score on the board. With that defeat, Atlético reeled in only 1 in 9 in La Liga and continues to search for stability.
A new challenge awaits on Wednesday: the first game of the CL play-offs vs Club Brugge. Kickoff at 9 p.m. at Jan Breydel Stadium.