Giménez and Mandžukić sentence Elche
Giménez, at the beginning of the first half, and Mandžukić, at the start of the second, sentenced Elche, signing a new victory.
ELCHE 0 – 2 ATLÉTICO DE MADRID
Elche: Tyton; Damián Suárez, Roco, Lombán, Cisma; Fajr, Mosquera, Pasalic (Cristian Herrera, 60’), Coro (Frangapane, 67’); Jonathas and Víctor Rodriguez (Álvaro, 84’).
Atlético de Madrid: Moyá; Juanfran, Giménez, Godín, Siqueira; Koke, Gabi, Tiago, Arda Turan (Raúl Jiménez, 80’); Raúl García and Mandžukić (Griezmann, 74’).
Referee: Vicandi Garrido (Basque Committee). Booked the locals Jonathas (41’) and Roco (91’).
GOALS:
0-1. 17’. Giménez cuts in the area and kicks a well-aimed shot to Tyton, after an assist from Arda Turan and a great triangulation between the Turkish, Koke and Siqueira.
0-2. 53’. Mandžukić shoots close to the near post after a good service from Gabi.
Important victory of Atlético de Madrid in Elche, adding a new victory and having an unbeaten goal for another round. Good match of a team that continues to grow, as Simeone said on the eve, and that makes it highly competitive.
Atlético de Madrid began the match in Elche strongly, with mastery of the ball and an early, very elaborate goal thanks to a perfect triangulation between Koke, Siqueira and Arda Turan, that Giménez finished with a brilliant cut and an accurate shot that zipped into Elche’s goal. The goal fell heavy on the locals and the first half went by with our team having possession of the ball but without clear chances to score from either side. Moyá only had to intervene on minute 35, for a cross by Fajr, which drifted to the corner.
At the very start of the second half, a counter-attack by Gabi with a spectacular pass to Mandžukić that the Croatian defined to perfection with a low shot close to the first post. The game was already on our side because you could see the team with a security and assurance that posed a challenge to the rival such as climbing the Tourmalet. In the half hour that was left of the second half, our team was closer to the third goal than Elche to their first one. Now, we concentrate on Tuesday’s match against Juventus in Turin.
