Sorloth asks for more minutes and drinks

The League leader also walked with a firm pass in the Cup. This Atleti in which the margins between starters and substitutes have been diluted. They don't exist, they can't. In this Atleti everyone is the same. Play before, after or in between. Play completely one day and not even a bit another day. It doesn't matter. Simeone distributes and they walk together crushing rivals. Game by game, victory by victory. It's already in the quarters. After adding Martínez Valero's mark to his record in a game that he dominated placidly, without suffering even a bit. And without its most common starters.

Because Simeone faced the duel with nine rotations compared to the last game (only Gallagher and Le Normand repeated) and a return, to the 5-3-2. Elche, mirror of the rojiblancos in the Second Division, strong and solid, also came out very changed compared to the weekend. If Sarabia took the opportunity to play with two pure nines (Agustín and Sory) and give minutes to less regulars like Rashani, John or Gerard, Simeone showed that in this Atleti everyone is a starter. Behind them, veterans like Witsel and Azpilicueta swept every ball. In the band they ran, combined and mixed, always unbalancing. Above, Correa and that 1.90m Norwegian who arrived in the summer without a minute on Sunday asked Simeone for more in the best way a striker can: uploading your name soon to the scoreboard.

Because Elche had come out well, with a desire for possession and the security behind a goalkeeper that Atleti knows well: Miguel San Román. Canterano and great-nephew of Pechuga, a long-awaited legend, without conceding a goal in this Cup. Until Sorloth knocked on his door. Din-don. Who. It's me. And what he was going to look for was clear: put the ball in his net. Cholo's scoreboard, as against Osasuna, once again led the way: a foul on one side, Koke took it out for Llorente to run, Bigas to comb and Sorloth to control and, as he felt like it, kick it for the goal. When Bambo wanted to defend him everything had already happened. Atleti, in pineapple, was embracing that Sorloth who may play more or less but asks for more as Cholo may like the most: with performance, competitiveness and goals. Blessed problem. And without photos throwing bibs on the ground.

It's not even three months since that, that match in Vic in which this Cup began for some red-and-whites who were beaten, the Betis injury, and that that night they began what was now continuing in Elche: a victorious streak for history. Fifteen consecutive sums up already. The pretty girl The plenary The magic of Cholo. Where those who criticized him are, I don't know, but the truth is that listening to them is no longer heard…

Elche tried but Atleti didn't give them even a chance. A balanced and solid Atleti, where Koke and Gallagher were in charge. The captain read and distributed while Gallagher cut and stole. A calmness in the game and the dominance that at half an hour, after Bambo knocked down Lino with a clear penalty, Sorloth returned to the scoreboard. He launched it centered and strong, with San Román beaten. 0-2. After the break, the Norwegian giant did not return (“as a precaution,” the club reported) but left the tie closed, even if the match continued.

And he did it by leaning more towards San Román, after the best of Sarabia's team, Nico, saw the red for a second yellow for a challenge on Riquelme. A Riquelme, by the way, who blew his boot right after and scored a trademark goal, from long distance, that can reconnect him to anything. It's never late and Roro is always good. With 3-0 Simeone allowed himself to give minutes to players who need them (Lemar or Reinildo) and rest to some loaded ones (Barrios, Grizi or Galán). The game already seemed like a training session. Elche had dropped out after the expulsion, Atleti dominated even unintentionally, placidly. Julián made it 0-4 after San Román hit a cross from De Paul and left the ball dead for him to round off Martínez Valero's score. This match was not over and Simeone could now afford to change his favorite word. It is no longer Elche, now it is Lega. From the Cup to the League. And keep adding.

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