ATLÉTI’ STROLL PAST ELCHE AT A CANTER

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Elche CF 0 – 2 Atlético de Madrid

Champions Atlético Madrid came, saw nothing particularly frightening and then conquered with ease as a below par, and chronically short on confidence, Elche offered precious little resistance.

Goals either side of the interval were enough for the reigning La Liga champions who were the better side throughout. In truth, the game really was nothing to write home about and even the usually energetic Elche supporters were strangely subdued.

The best moment of a largely uninspiring first half came on seventeen minutes and it was reminiscent of Barcelona at their very best. Arda Turan and the outstanding Koke exchanged short, sharp passes with Siqueira who then found the bearded Turk – looking suspiciously offside – with a similar ball.

Two touches later the ball arrived at the feet of José María Giménez who hammered a shot past a helpless Tyton in the Elche goal; the brute force of his finish contrasting starkly with the subtlety of the build up.

Going behind failed to raise Elche from their slumbers and the men from the Vicente Calderón continued to dominate, albeit without really testing the home back four. In point of fact, Elche almost grabbed an unlikely equaliser when Fayçal Fajr launched a speculative effort from range that had Atléti goalkeeper Moya back pedalling into his post.

With tempers fraying, particularly that of Elche striker Jonathas who squared up to Raúl Garcia, Basque referee Iñaki Garrido blew for the break at just about the right moment.

On the resumption it was more of the same and Atléti took just eight minutes to secure the points. An Elche attack was easily broken up and Atléti captain Gabi flopped an exquisite through ball into the path of Mario Mandzukic who held off the half hearted attentions of David Lombán to beat Tyton a little too easily at his near post.

Not long after, the visitors almost grabbed a third when Gabi burst forward only to be denied by the outstretched right leg of Tyton. Even then the Elche back four made something of a meal of tidying up after their goalkeeper.

A swerving, dipping Victor Rodriguez shot which flew just wide and an Enzo Roco header that Tiago hooked out were the best Elche could come up with as they chased the game.

At the other end, the introduction of flying Frenchman Antoine Griezmann, a summer signing from Real Sociedad, caused all kinds of defensive difficulties for Elche who somehow kept the score down. In the end it was all too simple for Atléti who probably won’t help themselves to an easier three points on their travels all season.

For Elche the head scratching after yet another disappointing defeat looks set to continue. Manager Fran Escribá now has his work cut out lifting the flagging spirits of his squad who, with this defeat, slump to rock bottom of the table.

Elche XI: Tyton; Cisma, Lombán, Enzo, Damián; Mosquera, Pasalic (59′); Fayçal, Víctor (83′), Coro (65′); Jonathas. Subs: Cristian Herrera (59′), Fragapane (65′), Álvaro (83′)

Atlético Madrid XI: Moyá; Juanfran, Godín, Giménez, Siqueira; Tiago, Gabi; Raúl García, Koke, Arda Turan (79′); Mandzukic (73′). Subs: Griezmann (73′), Raúl Jiménez (79′)

Goals: Giménez (17′), Mandzukic (53′)

Filed under: http://www.theleader.info/article/45833/

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