Atlético’s second unit devastates Elche | Soccer | Sports

Elated and riding the crest of a winning wave that now has 15 consecutive victories, Atlético got rid of Elche with a surgical and full-fledged exercise in which Sorloth was the first executor of Eder Sarabia’s daring team. Then, Riquelme and Julián Alvarez would complete a comforting victory due to the forcefulness and reliability shown by a team full of substitutes. The red and whites did not falter either with an eleven in which only Le Normand and Gallagher belonged to the caste of starters, nor did they return to the three-center-back system. To the satisfaction of their coach, they were a compact team to turn Elche’s possession into fireworks and a hammer in each defensive concession of their rival.

Atlético won even with some comfort in a setting and against an opponent that was not easy. Elche appeared emboldened by their second position in the Hypermotion League and a revitalized fan base that filled the Martínez Valero. A sparkling exit from Elche was expected, guided by the fine left foot of Nico Fernández, their best player, and that was the case. He stood in the opposite field and assumed the control of the game from the ball with conviction. He didn’t mind granting it to Atlético, very sure of being able to cover all avenues. Elche ran into a wall. The line of four in front of the defense of five was a rock. Impossible to reach Mendoza, the young local talent. The solidity was commanded by an active Gallagher, who together with Koke formed the axis of the midfield. More comfortable than when he plays on the left, the Englishman intercepted Elche’s first attempts to do damage inside.

Gallagher was the one who soon began to tame the Elche team and Sorloth to sentence them. The Norwegian was hit by a cross from Marcos Llorente and after cushioning it with his knee he hit a powerful right hand. The first time Atlético appeared threatening, they struck emphatically. The first ten minutes had not been reached and Atlético was already marking the differences on the scoreboard. In reality, the distance of level and categories marked the duel. Elche wanted to be as dominant as they are in the Second Division and it was seen that they were not able to harm that Atlético with united, firm and union lines.

Well armed by Koke in the circulation of the ball and with Riquelme and Lino mixing well on the left, the audacity of playing with the line so far forward turned each advance by Atlético into a one-on-one in speed and anticipated another lethal blow. It was executed by Azpilicueta, who broke the line with a through ball to Lino. The Brazilian faced Bambo and when he stepped into the area he cut back with his spur. The sturdy centre-back swept Lino’s supporting leg. Sorloth burst the net with a centered left foot shot. In less than half an hour, Atlético had already solved a tie that was not easy.

It was surprising that Simeone left Sorloth on the bench, after his two goals, to put Nahuel Molina on. The Norwegian has to digest his substitution and also be replaced last night after more than fulfilling the role for which he was signed, which is none other than scoring goals. With a two-goal advantage and the expulsion of Nico Hernández, the duel already took on aspects of demanding training for Atlético. Riquelme vindicated himself with a long right hand that hit Julián Alvarez in the top corner, and in the time he played he had time to confirm that the goals were falling out of his pockets.