Walk forward. Atlético Madrid had flirted with danger in previous rounds of the Copa del Rey, but this time around they took the field with hard-learned lessons. Under the leadership of Diego Simeone, they left no room for Elche and progressed in the tournament. The red and white manager fielded a largely overhauled team compared to his last La Liga outing, a decision which has paid off handsomely. Scoring early was advantageous, as Atlético showed a serious and competitive demeanor, refusing to give anything away to a well-established Elche team. With this victory, the Cholo men reached their 15th consecutive victory and maintained the exceptional level they have displayed since October. Last season, Atlético came close to reaching the final, but their thirst for the Copa title is evident.
The atmosphere was electric as Elche treated the cup match against Atlético like a big festival. The Ilicitanos deserve to compete at the highest level of Spanish football, with a robust stadium and a passionate fan base at their disposal. As the match approached, I had the chance to chat with some Elche fans and witness the excitement the team has generated this season. Michele’s eyes sparkled at the thought of possibly eliminating Atlético. He couldn’t help but wonder if Simeone would actually leave his stars on the bench. His friend Angel is a devoted Atlético fan, representing a significant portion of Atlético supporters along the Mediterranean coast. Sorry, Michele, but this Atlético team is seriously determined to realize their ambitions. Nonetheless, Elche will surely fight for promotion and aim to play at the Metropolitano next season.
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Sorlot. The Norwegian has not been a regular starter, with Griezmann and Julián Alvarez being the preferred options in Atlético’s attack. However, Sorloth was quietly effective. Without making waves, he found the net. Against Elche he scored on his first opportunity, which isn’t always typical, but he was accurate this time. There was no hesitation in converting the penalty. For Simeone, it is essential to distribute the goals. Quietly and efficiently, Sorloth does just that: score. Playing time is hard-fought, and no one gets anything easily. After halftime, he remained on the bench as a precaution. There is still a significant part of the season remaining, and the club wants to avoid taking risks with its players.
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Riquelme. The match also served to reintegrate Riquelme into the group. A talented player who has endured some difficult months, Simeone has always believed in his quality, but on the left, Javi Galán has performed very well, with Gallagher also contributing. Meanwhile, on the right, Nahuel, Llorente and Giuliano are competing for positions. Riquelme’s goal will no doubt boost their confidence as they look to the future. Another positive note was the return of Lemar wearing the red and white jersey again. The intention is for him to leave during this winter transfer window, but we’ll see what happens.
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Butarque. The action doesn’t stop, Atlético will travel to Leganés on Saturday. It’s a difficult match, but the red and white are on course. Cholo is expected to deploy his expected regulars, although in this Atlético team no place is guaranteed. The leader wants to stay ahead as they head into the new match day. Long may the winning streak continue.
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