Duro stars as Valencia earn impressive 3-0 win over Atletico

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Javier Guerra curls in a beauty to make it 3-0 Valencia

Javier Guerra goal 54th minute Valencia 3-0 Atletico Madrid

Updated: Sep 16, 2023, 06:21 pm

A first-half double from Hugo Duro and a goal from Javi Guerra earned Valencia a 3-0 home win over Atletico Madrid on Saturday as they inflicted the visitor's first La Liga loss this season.

Valencia, who came from two successive losses, outplayed an Atletico side hampered by injuries and lacking pace after the suspension of their match against Sevilla last month before the international break.

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"Today we lacked everything - intensity, attitude, I don't know," said Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak. "Valencia came in much better than us. Words don't matter. We need to improve a lot in the next games."

Duro got Valencia an early lead with a strike from a tight angle on the left side just five minutes into the game before he bagged his second in the 34th minute after a fast break to double the lead.

"Getting the win was important and even more so after two defeats," said the 23-year-old Duro. "It was a great joy to be able to celebrate with the fans. I guess the coach will be happy."

Javi Guerra scored with a superb curled shot near the right post from the edge of the box to make it 3-0 in the 54th minute and send the Mestalla stadium crowd into raptures.

It was Valencia's first win over Atletico since 2014 and takes them to fifth place with nine points.

Diego Simeone's side, who are seventh with seven points, will play their Champions League opener at Lazio on Tuesday before their league derby against Real Madrid on Sept. 24.

"This result doesn't scare me for the Champions League, because I know this team will get up," Oblak added.

"We must look at ourselves in the mirror, each one of us knows that we can give more than what we have given. We have to go into the games with more intensity."