The pride of the evicted Elche stops Atlético with controversy
Football barely understands trajectories and does not take dynamics into account too much. It's much more about motivation, mental issues, desire. In the place where it could least be expected, Atlético de Madrid stumbled, returning to some old ways that already seemed buried. At the Martínez Valero, they lost to an Elche already mathematically in the Second Division but who had the pleasure of asserting their pride. Because Beccacece's men played with the seriousness of those who are still in the fight and won the jackpot, the fourth victory of the season. Even if it doesn't help much. [1-0: Narration and Stats]
It is true that the goal that decided everything should not have gone up on the scoreboard, but it is that Atlético was neither capable nor deserved the tie. The silly afternoon of 2023 arrived in Elche, where they once again gave up second place to Real Madrid, where they spoiled their record with barely a blemish in the second round. What only Barça had been able to achieve after the World Cup, knocking down the Cholo men, was achieved by self-esteem from Elche, their first league victory against the rojiblancos since 1985.
None of the recent ambition, nor of the electric football that had been driving Atlético until it became the best team in the second round in the five major European leagues.. Not a trace of the 13 goals in the last three games and that Simeone repeated eleven for the fourth consecutive time. Nor does he have much more to choose from with so much loss.
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Elche achieved what almost no one lately, deactivate Atlético. He did it with the audacity of those who no longer have anything to lose, but also with a seriousness that speaks volumes about his desire to return to First Division when he has not left yet.. He dominated the first part and knew how to resist without too much trouble in the second: in the round trip he was able to do the second as concede the tie.
Griezmann, at the Martínez Valero. AFP
And he was fortunate that Muñiz Ruiz did not notice the illegality of Fidel's goal. A goal with controversy, a goal that the VAR should not have allowed to go up on the scoreboard. It happened in 41, after a first part in which there was no news from Atlético. Perhaps a deserved punishment for his lack of a fang, perhaps an award for the push of Elche, who dominated, who arrived and who warned. With Lautaro on one side and Morente on the other. With initiative and pride. But without aim or much danger.
Until Lautaro himself executed a throw-in into the heart of the red and white area. With such power that it must have been cancelled, since he did it with one foot inside the field. Then came a gross mistake by Grbic and Fidel pushed it into an empty net. There was no hint of a review, nor of a possible foul by Nteka on Koke.
The fact is that, where this launched team least expected it, the afternoon got tangled up for a gray Atlético. And this time neither the sparks of genius of Griezmann rescued him nor the bench movements of Simeone. Carrasco fell asleep in a one-on-one that the Frenchman served him on a platter and Morata missed another one against Badía, the local hero. Then Pere Milla and Gumbau could have sentenced the game.