Atletico took to the pitch in a training ground mood after going 4-0 up in the first leg, and barely broke stride as their rotated men thrashed a terrible Erciyesspor side 5-0 in Turkey. Qualification was already beyond doubt, but Atletico took the chance to use some unsung players - and some who are now looking for more league action - as they sank a very poor home side that never showed any attacking spark, and was too slow in the defence, not to mention unaware of empty spaces.

Kayseri went 4-4-2, sitting back and playing the long ball game on the break, Adem Dursin enjoying a long-awaited return to the team. Nonetheless, it didn't prove enough as they offered very little going forward, or even at the back. Atletico played the game at a relaxed pace with a very heavily rotated squad, the strength in depth in midfield really shining through as Luis Garcia in particular put in a virtuoso performance. Not much can be taken from a game against such poor opposition but the Atleti men, at least, always seem to have a good eye for space, which will prove encouraging.

It certainly paid dividends early on. The brilliant Aguero took a 6th minute lead for his side, Luis Garcia charging unopposed down the right before slipping in a through ball for the youngster to round the 'keeper. Kayseri had a rare chance; as with almost all of their half-opportunities, it was a long diagonal into the box, but not even a centre-back mixup could let Coskun hit the target. Atleti were the better side and soon went 2-0 up. Again it was wide play that reaped the second goal, this time Aguero weaving past two on the edge of the box near the corner flag, then tapping the ball high across goalmouth for Jurado to head home. The home side's heads went down, then, and 3-0 came on the stroke of half time, Aguero heading home unmarked after Pernia's great cross from the overlap.

Off came Aguero at half time as part of coach Aguirre's rotation policy, Forlan coming on to partner the out-of-position Maxi. Indeed, though, Maxi made it 4-0 from the spot, Yogurtcu having pulled Luis Garcia's shirt in the box after being embarassingly dispossed. An already-slow game really slowed down now, but Atleti still made it 5 as Forlan scored on the counter after a good passing team move - Erciyesspor, to their credit, hadn't merely packed the box, but they couldn't defend from the front either.

Erciyesspor are in a lot of trouble, seemingly on and off the pitch, and whether they can remain in the hunt for promotion much longer seems unlikely on the strength of this showing. However, let's not exagerrate matters: Atletico are a very, very good attacking side, even rotated, and deserved their win. However, the domestic Liga is always tougher...