ATLETICO MADRID CLINCHING TO CHAMPIONS LEAGUE PLACE AFTER AWAY VICTORY OVER ELCHE.
Atlético Madrid registered their tenth consecutive victory over Elche as they prevailed 2-0 at the Estadio Martínez Valero. The result also sees them secure UEFA Champions League football for next term, while ending a two-game losing streak away from home.
The deposed champions knew a victory here would secure them a place in the UEFA Champions League next term, and they started positively. Matheus Cunha should have at least worked Édgar Badía between the Elche sticks, instead of lashing over the bar from just inside the area, but Elche were not without a threat themselves. They were particularly dangerous from corners, and Lucas Boyé will be disappointed not to have hit the target with a free header, while Pedro Bigas also nodded narrowly wide from a set-piece delivery.
However, it was ‘Los Rojiblancos’ who went into the break ahead, thanks to a lightning-quick move. A diagonal ball was played into left-back Renan Lodi, who had replaced Sime Vrsaljko after just five minutes due to injury, and the Brazil international played an inch-perfect ball into Cunha. This time, the latter made no mistake, prodding past Badía from close range.
Elche manager Francisco made a triple change in the 58th minute, but ‘Los Franjiverdes’ found themselves two behind soon after. Once again, a swift build-up unlocked their defence, as Rodrigo De Paul played a neat one-two with Antoine Greizmann before tapping into the bottom corner. As the final whistle approached, Luis Suárez almost extended the advantage from close range, but found the crossbar with his strike instead of the back of the net.
Diego Simeone’s men are now confirmed as Champions League participants for 2022/23, given their superior H2H record against Betis. Meanwhile, Elche will have wanted to cause ‘Atléti’ more problems tonight, they have almost reached their main objective of survival, as they sit six points above RCD Mallorca in 18th.
