A fine display from the Argentine at Vallecas, delivering two assists for Atlético de Madrid—his first multi-assist game since joining the club. The allure of Saudi football hardly dimmed his role, as he continued to start every important match for Diego Simeone’s side.
Atlético de Madrid set out to reaffirm their claim on the La Liga title by routing Rayo Vallecano 0-7 in Vallecas, a stadium known for its tough atmosphere and compact spaces. Yet the visitors enjoyed a rare night of freedom, turning a challenging venue into a showcase of attacking efficiency and collective cohesion.
The campaign had begun with two away wins that left little room for doubt about the team’s potential, and few anticipated the magnitude of the result achieved against a stubborn rivals’ defense. What unfolded in the Vallecas clash exceeded expectations and underscored the progress of a squad that has sometimes looked short of ideas in recent seasons.
Rayo Vallecano 0-7 Atlético de Madrid in LaLiga 2023-24 became a testament to the visitors’ intent to impose themselves from the opening whistle. In the first half, the visitors seized control with a level of fluency that had been missing in earlier fixtures, signaling a return to form of the most dynamic version of this Atlético side in months. Much of the momentum belonged to Rodrigo De Paul, who orchestrated play with composure and aggression, acting as the principal hub in a midfield trio crafted to maximize ball circulation and tempo.
The Argentine midfielder, expertly marshaled by Saúl Ñíguez and supported by Pablo Barrios, demonstrated moments of decisive quality that have defined his time with the club. His performance in the opening period set a high bar for the rest of the team, showing why he remains a fixture in the starting lineup and a focal point of Atlético’s approach. That first half alone was enough to stir the rojiblanco faithful, who witnessed a blend of technical mastery and tireless off-ball workworthiness that aligns with the manager’s philosophy.
De Paul delivered two precise assists, feeding Antoine Griezmann and an emerging attacking option, Molina, with accuracy and timing that amplified the visitors’ threat. The set of contributions marked a notable milestone for him across competitions, equaling a personal record for most assists in a single game and highlighting his increased danger in the final third after more than three decades in the sport. He also produced three notable chances while on the pitch, underscoring his role as a creator just as much as a worker in midfield battles.
Across the board, his propensity to deliver goal passes has become a recurring pattern. In the current spell with Atlético de Madrid, De Paul has accumulated six assists in his last nine appearances in all competitions, a higher tally than in the rest of his rojiblanco tenure combined, which saw five assists across eighty appearances—a clear indicator of a late flourish or a renewed understanding with teammates and coaching staff.
Last week, whispers swirled about a lucrative offer from Al Ahli in Saudi Arabia, reportedly worth around €30 million for a three-season spell. Yet the world champion chose to remain with Atlético, signaling a desire to stay in Spain and continue contributing as a starter within the familiar, competitive environment of the Metropolitan Stadium. The decision reinforced the perception that his best form comes when he feels pivotal to the team’s plans, especially in high-stakes league fixtures and cross-competition showdowns.
In summary, the Vallecas triumph did more than add three points to Atlético’s tally. It demonstrated the squad’s growing cohesion, the renewed confidence of its leaders, and the personal revival of De Paul as a central figure who blends work rate with creative punch. For the fans, it was a vivid reminder of the attacking potential that can be unleashed when the team operates with tempo, precision, and collective intent, even in a venue famed for stifling difficulties rather than inviting spectacle.