Atlético de Madrid sealed their place in the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey after beating an unrecognizable Elche 4-0 almost without a beat and very far from their usual version in the Second Division championship.
Diego Pablo Simeone’s team, which extended its winning streak this season to fifteen consecutive victories, made a tie that seemed more complicated due to the state of form in which its rival was, making each and every one of its attempts an easy one. strengths.
The Elche team started the game without complexes. Despite the rotations, Elche maintained its usual pose in the first minutes, in which it took possession of the ball, forcing Atlético to take shelter in its field.
But the Madrid team only needed one play to dismantle Elche’s proposal. A cross from Llorente into the area, in Atlético’s first offensive play, was taken advantage of by Sorloth to, after picking up the ball, shoot San Román.
The Norwegian showed in the action all the forcefulness that Elche’s defense lacked. The goal completely dismantled Sarabia’s plan and encouraged Atlético to take a step forward.
Elche was unable to find its creative players, devoured by the pressure of Gallagher and Koke, and Atlético was able to live calmly in defense.
Atlético took advantage of their rival’s doubts to make a quick decision. Diaby committed a clear penalty on Lino that Sorloth was in charge of converting into a goal with a powerful shot.
The second goal, before half an hour of play, completely evaporated Elche and accommodated Atlético, who had several dangerous attacks, although without a shot, through Lino and Llorente.
Musso was a mere spectator of the game, while San Román still had to work hard in a couple of actions before the break.
Elche’s good intentions at the start of the second half barely lasted five minutes, as Nico Fernández was sent off for a double yellow in a decision that unleashed the anger of the local fans, who were very critical of the decisions of the referee, Cuadra Fernández.
With a two-goal advantage and one more player, Atlético, now without Sorloth on the field, tilted the game towards the Elche area, unable to get up from the canvas.
The third goal came almost by inertia and after a great shot by Riquelme from outside the area that surprised San Román.
With everything resolved, Simeone was able to dose his pieces and Atlético de Madrid continued to prowl the Elche area at will, turning the match into a target shooting exercise.
San Román, trained in the athletic youth team, made several worthy saves, but could not prevent the now classic goal from Julián Álvarez, who converted a bad rebound from the goalkeeper into the net.
Elche, without play or faith, ended up bending the knee without putting up any resistance against an insatiable Atlético that is also determined to win the Cup.
Technical sheet:
Elche: San Roman; Diaby (Mario Gaspar, min. 79), John Chetaua, Bigas (Affengruber, min. 69), Salinas (Alex Martín, min. 62); Nico Fernández, Gerard Hernández (Febas, min. 69), Rodrigo Mendoza (Guti, min. 79), Rashani, Sory Kaba y Agustín Álvarez.
Atlético de Madrid: Musso; Llorente (Lemar, min. 72), Witsel, Le Normand, Azpilicueta; Riquelme (Julián Álvarez, min. 72), Gallagher (Reinildo, min. 65), Koke, Lino (De Paul, min. 60; Correa and Sorloth (Molina, min.46).
Goals: 0-1, min. 8: Sorloth. 0-2, min. 28: Sorloth, penalty. 0-3, min. 61: Riquelme. 0-4, min. 75: Julián Álvarez.
Match compact:
