Atlético de Madrid continue to condition the race to avoid relegation in LaLiga, as the Colchoneros on Wednesday suffered a 3-2 defeat at Elche, four days after losing out on penalties to Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey.
Nico Gonzalez notched a first-half brace for a side that saw 10 changes from the Copa final. But Thiago Almada’s 30th-minute red card forced Atlético to retreat. Though the visitors kept Elche at arm’s length for a while, the hosts eventually retook the lead as Atleti’s set-piece
woes were exposed once more. Elche escape the drop zone with this win, while Atleti remain fourth, eight points clear of Real Betis with six matches remaining.
Here are our player ratings for this one. Agree/disagree? Let us know (politely) in the comments.
Oblak
Back in the side after nearly six weeks out. Oblak reacted late on David Affengruber’s 18th-minute equalizing poke in a poorly-coordinated action from an Elche corner. He guessed wrong on André Silva’s 32nd-minute penalty. He looked uncertain and lacked confidence to come out for the ball, then failed to keep out Silva in the second half after Affengruber found him with a short cross on the second phase of another corner. 2
Nico
Scored an absolute peach of a goal in transition on nine minutes, as he drove with the ball from his own half, played a one-two with Mendoza and slid a rising left-footed shot past Matías Dituro. After Silva’s penalty, Nico scored immediately from kickoff, heading the ball to himself twice, dinking it over Dituro and heading it beyond the line before Affengruber could clear. Lost a vital header in the build-up to Silva’s 75th-minute goal, drawing further attention to his poor set-piece defending. 7.5
Boñar
The Atlético Madrileño defender returned to the side for his second successive start in LaLiga. Germán Valera took advantage of his inexperience out of possession, though he played a really nice ball for Álex Baena that might have produced a 2-0 lead had the Spain attacker not slipped in the box. Often tucked in as a center-back after the early stages as Diego Simeone tried to avoid isolating him against Valera, the former Atleti academy graduate whose crossing and dribbling proved difficult to handle. 5
Le Normand
The only holdover from the Copa del Rey final lineup. Picked up an assist on his long ball for Nico Gonzalez ahead of his goal for 2-2. Did little else of note. 5.5
Lenglet
A complete disaster out of possession. He doesn’t help his left-back, he gets booked for arguing the validity of a goal that was easily upheld, without time and space to pass he offers no value. The club will have to eat money to get rid of him in the summer but it absolutely has to be done. —
Díaz
Made his third start since Feb. 28. Overwhelmed defensively as Clément Lenglet hardly provided reliable cover, and he was forced into taking a yellow card when he hauled down Buba Sangaré late in the first half. 3.5
Johnny
The United States midfielder started for the first time in a month. He was left flat-footed on Rafa Mir’s huge chance after just two minutes and he didn’t offer much security on the ball as the pivot. Let’s hope his miss at the end of normal time in the Copa del Rey final hasn’t negatively affected him. 4
Vargas
Operating as a left-sided central midfielder, Vargas won five of six ground duels and drew two fouls in the first half while accurately placing all eight of his passes. He’s smart, aggressive and fundamentally solid; I can see Diego Simeone molding him into a regular starter. 7
Mendoza
A slick back-heeled assist for Nico Gonzalez marked his first goal contribution since his February transfer from Elche. It was a glimpse of his potential, but the rest of his afternoon showed that he needs a lot of polish. He loses the ball in dangerous areas, he commits rash fouls that underline his inexperience and he lost all nine of his individual duels. However, Atleti playing for nothing in the league might help him grow, as it helped Barrios establish himself back in 2023. 5.5
Almada
Guillermo Cuadra Fernández showed him a red card after half an hour as he lost the ball in his own box under pressure from Affengruber and pulled him down for a penalty. Feels like a lost cause at this point. —
Baena
Ineffectual. Doesn’t seem to know how to stand out, though playing in a makeshift forward pair with Thiago Almada certainly isn’t it. He completed only six of 10 passes and was left frustrated (again) when the offside flag wiped away a goal early in the second half. 2.5
Molina
Replaced Robin Le Normand to begin the second half. Shaky defensively, a decent outlet in transition, provided okay cover for Boñar in a low block. 4.5
Pubill
Replaced Julio Díaz to begin the second half. He’s a colossus. He won three of his five duels, made three clearances and did not commit a foul. We’ll see if he returns to the starting lineup on Saturday against Athletic Club. 6
Griezmann
Replaced Rodri Mendoza in the 62nd minute. Took the attacking reins immediately upon entering and forced Dituro into a top save on a shot that was going to nestle inside the far post. 6
Giuliano Simeone
Replaced Álex Baena in the 62nd minute. Spurned a chance to equalize for 3-3 when Nahuel Molina’s cross rolled off of him at the back post for a goal kick. Got some good cardio otherwise. 3
Barrios
Replaced Obed Vargas in the 62nd minute. Making his return from injury, Barrios looked fit, sharp and ready to contribute. He lashed a long-range effort over Dituro’s crossbar in the 88th minute, not long after Antoine Griezmann forced the Elche captain into a good save. 5
