Beaten by Elche, red lantern, Atlético de Madrid loses its second place in La Liga

The game: 1-0

On the scale of Ligue 1, it is a bit as if Angers had beaten Lens. Last and relegated for ten days, Elche created the sensation, this Sunday afternoon, beating Atlético de Madrid (1-0). A success – only the 4th this season for Sebastián Becaccece’s men – totally logical given the scenario of the meeting. Without idea, without spring and, more surprisingly, without desire, Atlético de Madrid, now 3rd in La Liga (two points behind Real Madrid) will never have managed to unbalance a courageous and inspired team.

Elche has only been really worried on three occasions: first on a header from Morata (7th) then on a duel lost by the former Turinese (70th) and finally on a new header from the Spanish international (90th °2). For the rest ? Nothingness or not far. Led by a stirring Randy Nteka and carried by an interesting technical mastery, the red lantern logically opened the scoring after a controversial sequence. On a long touch, goalkeeper Ivo Grbic found himself in a hole and let Fidel score in the empty goal (1-0, 41st). This opening of the score which should have been invalidated – on the sidelines, the defender went well over the line – concretized a territorial domination.

The scenario for the second half was much the same. And Atlético de Madrid, threatening in sequences by Morata, could have left the Martínez Valero stadium with a heavier defeat but neither Milla (72nd, 89th) nor Gumbau (78th) managed to find the opening.

The player: thedisappointed Griezmann

Sparkling in recent weeks – decisive 13 times in the last 12 matches – the French international has ped, like his teammates, next to his meeting. Uninspired in his latest choices, “Grizou” never seemed able to have the same influence as usual on the game.

Too short on a cross (17th), the world champion could have, with a gesture, – delicious outside deviation of the foot – been decisive. But Morata lost his duel against an inspired Edgar Badia. The other French holder – Thomas Lemar – will not have been much more successful. The former Caennais, visibly affected muscularly, will only have remained 53 minutes on the lawn. Having had a very limited influence.

2

That says a lot about the afternoon at Atlético de Madrid. Usually rough, Diego Simeone’s men only committed two faults during the game. A total that reflects a total commitment deficit of the Colchoneros.