A great night in Elche. The hope of an entire city to be a new First Division team, a team that after ten consecutive games without losing dreams more than ever of the long-awaited promotion. That and the addition of the arrival of Atlético de Madrid for the round of 16 of the Cup against Martínez Valero It was the perfect combination to see a full stadium that responded, with people who bought their tickets after the game against Zaragoza.
But Atlético is Atlético and if Elche had been undefeated in 10 games, Atlético now has 15 consecutive victoriesextending its historical record. The match was a bath and a massage with two goals from Sorloth, one from Riquelme and another from Julián Alvarez. Simeone gave minutes to the less common players, he has his forwards on a roll and he dreams of everything.
El Cholo opted for ‘unit B’with Gallagher and Le Normand repeating in the eleven compared to the match played against Osasuna. And when the Elche team started with more force, the one that hit was the red and white team led by Sorloththe Pichichi of the team in the League who is in great shape.
The winter champion of the league competition did not hesitate despite so many changes. After half an hour the game was close or that was the feeling. After a very stupid penalty on Lino by Bambo Diaby, who jumped absurdly into the area and dragged the Brazilian with his foot, once again the Norwegian scored his second goal of the game and the tenth so far in the Atlético de Madrid shirt. Yes, 10 goals for Sorloth as a substitutewhich speaks of his commitment and, above all, the value he gives to the team as a player who is not a regular starter.
Koke, captain and key
Atlético de Madrid’s first half was immaculate. We hardly saw Musso and in addition to the ‘9’ scoring two goals, the captain is important again. It’s not that he wasn’t doing it from somewhere else these weeks, but Koke has the ropes for important moments of the season and in the first half he was the one who won the most steals, interceptions, recoveries and duels. He alone, with Gallagher at his side, won the midfield against Sarabia’s team.
Surprising change and expulsion from Elche
Simeone moved the bench and removed the first-half scorer. Sorloth left the field as a precaution. The Norwegian played 45 minutes and did his job to give way to Molina, who was positioned at right back, giving Llorente a more advanced place. To top it off, Cuadra Fernández sent Nico off for a double yellow in a very rigorous decisionSarabia’s team was left with one less and now the match was completely settled.
Simeone wants Riquelme in dynamics
After the hour mark came Rodrigo Riquelme’s great goal. The youth player played as a starter on the right wing, then moved to the left and from there scored the third goal of the game for the red and white team. A player who had more prominence last season was not having a good time this season and the change in scheme has clearly penalized the amount of minutes that the coach is giving him.
Lemar reappears… and goal from Julián
Simeone gave 18 more minutes of injury time to the Frenchman, who had only played half an hour this season. Simeone does not count on him but always praises his training and his attitude, so when he can give him minutes, like against Elche, he does it. The Frenchman took responsibility and two minutes after coming on he had already had a great chance with a shot from outside the area. What Lemar lacks is continuity and not suffering injuries. Julián entered along with the ’11’, who scored the fourth goal of the match at the first opportunity he had..
Atlético and Elche, to continue thinking about the league
Elche is left without cup support. But the people said goodbye to the team with applause to thank the effort of a team that, as we said before, dreams of becoming a First Team again. For its part, Atlético is already thinking about continuing to lead and will have to face a difficult derby next Saturday in Butarque.
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