Atlético put four past Erciyesspor

Club Atlético de Madrid continued their fine European season as they took a four-goal lead from the first leg of their UEFA Cup first round tie with Kayseri Erciyesspor.

Atlético on course
Mista and Diego Forlán both struck early before Luis García scored two late goals to give the UEFA Intertoto Cup winners a useful result against a Turkish side on their maiden European campaign. Atlético are on their first UEFA Cup run for seven years and look on course for the group stage.

Home goals
Javier Aguirre's side began positively and 12 minutes in José Manuel Juarado's powerful shot was only partially cleared by goalkeeper Yusuf Soysal and Mista was on hand to turn the ball in. Forlán forced a save from Yusuf soon after but the Uruguayan striker was soon on the scoresheet after the custodian parried García's effort. Simão was brought on midway through the first half when Juarado suffered an ankle injury but Atlético continued to attack with Forlán putting the best chance wide.

García clinchers
Two minutes after the break Erciyesspor had their best opportunity. However, set through on goal, Kamil Sener missed the target. And they were made to pay late on as Maniche twice combined with García to put Atlético comfortably in control ahead of their trip to Turkey in a fortnight, when Erciyesspor will need to improve on their only previous home game in Europe, a 3-1 defeat of Maccabi Tel-Aviv FC in the second qualifying round.