Cunha and De Paul sign a Champions League win
Our team were superior to Elche at all times. Cunha opened the scoring in the 28th minute and De Paul finished the game in the 63rd minute. We placed third and secures a place for the next Champions League.
Our team took the field at the Martínez Valero with very clear ideas. It was necessary to get the victory that would ensure the Champions League place for next season and for that the team was firm and secure at the back and with the mind set on scoring a goal as soon as there was a chance. Elche put up some resistance in the first minutes, although Francisco's team had no clear chances in the first act.
Matheus Cunha was the first to make a warning with a shot after a pass from Lodi in the 12th minute. Shortly after, it was Kondogbia who shot from outside the area without finding the target. In the 22nd minute, Koke was the first to force Edgar Badía to intervene. And, a minute later, it would be Cunha who would shoot for the local goalkeeper to save. And in the 28th minute came the first goal of the match. A spectacular play with a great pass from Griezmann in depth to Lodi, who entered the area from the left and his cross to the heart of the small area was used by Cunha to shoot Edgar Badía. A great goal that did justice to what was happening on the pitch.
In the 34th minute came another good chance with a perfect combination with a deep pass from Reinildo to De Paul and the Argentinean's extension was used for Carrasco to shoot deflected. With the score at 0-1, we reached halftime.
Our team came out with the intention of scoring the second goal soon to secure the victory that would put us in third place and seal the pass to the Champions League because Sevilla had drawn against Mallorca. And so, in the 48th minute, a new run by Lodi on the left was finished off by Cunha over the goal and Bigas saved under the posts. But what Elche could not prevent was De Paul's goal in the 63rd minute. An excellent combination between Griezmann and De Paul, with two walls to save the defenders of the Blanquiverdes ended with a pass from the Frenchman that the Argentinian adjusted next to the left post of the Elche goal. Another great goal with which our team secured the victory. Correa even crashed a ball against the crossbar in the 88th minute after a good combination with Luis Suarez. A fair and deserved victory against Elche before saying goodbye to the season at home on Sunday against Sevilla at the Wanda Metropolitano and then in San Sebastian against Real Sociedad in the last matchday.
