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Lucas V. Belmar
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Miércoles, 15 de enero 2025, 23:25
No miracle occurred in Elche. The hope of challenging Atlético de Madrid was short-lived at the Martínez Valero despite Eder Sarabia's team being in great form. Defensive fragility and avoidable mistakes condemned Elche against a rival also in excellent shape, crowned as winter champions in La Liga ahead of Real Madrid and Barcelona. The 0-4 score speaks for itself, summarising a disappointing match for the franjiverdes, although their fans can take pride in reaching the Copa del Rey's last 16 and facing one of the giants.
True to their style and buoyed by the confidence from their recent good form, which has taken them to direct promotion spots, Elche started the match without fear, controlling the ball and trying to threaten through their most inspired attacker this season, Argentine Nico Fernández Mercau. However, Atlético struck early, specifically in their first approach to the franjiverde area. In the eighth minute, a seemingly harmless cross from Marcos Llorente from the right went over Bigas and John, landing at Sorloth's feet, who got ahead of Bambo Diaby and shot past San Román from close range.
This early 0-1 reinforced Atlético's game plan. Simeone's team didn't mind Elche holding the ball in non-threatening areas, and the minutes passed until an avoidable penalty by Bambo Diaby on Samu Lino in the 27th minute harshly punished the franjiverdes again. The Senegalese defender went to ground innocently when Lino cut inside, and the referee awarded a clear penalty, which Sorloth converted to make it 0-2. This second blow left Elche stunned, unable to approach Muso's area and seemingly losing faith.
The second half started in the worst possible way, as Nico Fernández received a second yellow card for innocently tripping Rodrigo Riquelme after being beaten in midfield. Elche was reduced to ten men in the 49th minute, making a comeback utterly impossible.
From then on, Atlético played at ease, rotating players, dominating possession, and knowing they were vastly superior. Rodrigo Riquelme scored the 3-0 from outside the box in the 61st minute with a shot where San Román was unfortunate. Argentine Julián Álvarez made it 0-4 with his first touch in the 75th minute. Witsel failed to head a good cross from De Paul, San Román cleared weakly, and the ball fell to Julián Álvarez, who tapped it in unchallenged.
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