Zlin 2 - Atlético Madrid 4

Zlin: Novak; Vidlicka, Kroca, Svach, Hubacek; Cervenka (Novosad 75'), Lasota, Dobes (Licka 87')Lukastik; Cincala (Vrtelka 46'), Malar. 4-4-2.
Atlético: Leo Franco; Perea, García Calvo, Pablo, Sergi; Simeone, Gabi (Santi 86'); Novo (Aguilera 55'), Ibagaza, Musampa; Javi Moreno (Paunovic 61'). 4-2-3-1.

Goals:
0-1. 01. Novo. Ran on to shoot inside post after Musampa laid ball across.
1-1. 51. Svach. Beat Leo Franco with header on the far post.
1-2. 71. Paunovic. Picked up Aguilera pass and shot low past keeper.
1-3. 82. Musampa. Picked up ball and chipped shot over head of keeper.
1-4. 85. Paunovic. Collected through ball from Ibagaza and beat Novak.
2-4. 88. Svach. Another header goal after defensive error.

Atlético Madrid returned to European competitions after four years with a convincing 2-4 win over little known Czech Republic side Zlin. This was César Ferrando's first game in charge, and although he couldn't count on key players such as Fernando Torres (still on holiday after Euro 2004), he did include new signings Perea and Pablo in the defence. There was some question before kick off as to whether UEFA would allow them to play in their new "Spiderman" shirts, but once things got going they couldn't have started better, Novo getting on the end of Musampa's cross to score with less than a minute on the clock.

After that though they got a little bogged down, and Zlin equalised when Svach headed home following a set-piece play. Ferrando turned to substitutes Aguilera and Paunovic though, and the two combined for the Serbian to beat Novak and restore the lead. That opened things up, and Musampa and Paunovic were able to add two more before Svach took advantage of a tired defence to get his second of the night. Atlético have a foot and a half in the semi-finals though, and they should have no problems wrapping things up next weekend.