Elche made its need to win count, and Almada’s irritating expulsion after half an hour helped them defeat a decaffeinated Atlético, watered down by their coach. André da Silva’s goal, which broke the 2-2 tie with 15 minutes remaining, lifted Eder Sarabia’s team out of the relegation zone. What was a crucial match for Elche in their fight for survival, felt like a summer friendly for Atlético, judging by Simeone’s lineup. Only Oblak’s return and Le Normand’s presence gave it a starting eleven feel. The experiment was such that Cholo played without strikers. Between those who stayed home (Julián Alvarez, Sorloth, and Lookman) and those who sat on the bench (Griezmann, Giuliano), there was no reference attacker. Baena and Almada formed the strange attacking pair. Another symptom that La Liga is already secondary for Atlético because their Champions League spot for next season is practically secured. Simeone has prioritized the already lost Copa and now the European semi-finals with Arsenal. For the past month, the league tournament has been a testing ground for the Argentine coach. A way to review the less common players and the academy boys. As against Sevilla, Boñar and Julio Díaz occupied the full-back positions.
More in need, it was Elche who opened fire with a chance that Rafa Mir sent into oblivion. Varela and Tete Morente emerged as the wide avenues to break Atlético’s defensive system. Eder Sarabia’s team wanted to dominate the ball and the game, but they ran into their worst flaw. With the ball going forward, they are an attractive team, but when they have to run back, they are very soft and even careless. Ideal territory for a roadrunner like Nico González, this time relegated to the right. From there, he galloped with little opposition to the edge of the area, where Mendoza was waiting for him. He showcased his class with a backheel pass that the Argentine ended up smashing into Dituro’s net. A good goal to which Elche quickly recovered. Atlético’s defense swallowed a lob after a corner kick, and Affengruber cleaned it up, taking advantage of Oblak’s delay in coming out.
To the Rojiblancos’ defensive naivety, Almada added a boldness worthy of a friendly match. He tried to dribble at the edge of the area, and Affengruber dispossessed him. Almada grabbed his shirt when the Austrian was about to shoot at Oblak or assist. Expulsion and penalty that André da Silva did not miss. With ten men, Atlético quickly equalized, with Nico González piercing the same hole as in the first goal. He ran, reached the byline, chipped Dituro, and headed it in. VAR determined that the ball had not gone out and that it had also crossed the goal line by half a foot.
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The second half belonged to Elche, who did not waste their numerical superiority. With one man down, neither the entry of Griezmann, Giuliano, nor the reappearance of Barrios had any effect. André da Silva, assisted by the omnipresent Affengruber, punished an Atlético that has resigned from the League.
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| Standings | PTS | GP | W | D | L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
13 | 36 | 32 | 9 | 9 | 14 |
14 | 35 | 32 | 9 | 8 | 15 |
| 15 | 35 | 32 | 8 | 11 | 13 |
16 | 35 | 31 | 8 | 11 | 12 |
17 | 34 | 31 | 9 | 7 | 15 |
| Standings | PTS | GP | W | D | L |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2 | 73 | 32 | 23 | 4 | 5 |
3 | 61 | 31 | 19 | 4 | 8 |
| 4 | 57 | 32 | 17 | 6 | 9 |
5 | 49 | 32 | 12 | 13 | 7 |
6 | 44 | 32 | 13 | 5 | 14 |
