Koke and Diego Costa got the goal that beat Elche
Atletico Madrid won in Elche with competence and clarity to a combative Elche , which kept the pulse of ours in the first half. The success of Koke and Diego Costa was the thirteenth to achieve final victory.
ELCHE 0-2 ATLETICO MADRID
Elche: Manu Herrera; Damián Suárez, Botía, Lombán, Edu Albácar; Rubén Pérez, Carlos Sánchez (Javi Márquez, 75’); Carlos Gil, Coro, Fidel (Aarón Ñíguez, 65’); & Boakye (Cristian Herrera, 71’).
Atlético Madrid: Courtois; Juanfran, Miranda, Godín, Filipe Luis; Arda Turan (Adrián, 70’), Gabi, Tiago, Koke; Diego Costa & Villa (Raúl García, 61’).
GOALS:
0-1. 63' Koke
0-2. 73' Diego Costa
A great victory for Atletico Madrid in Elche. A polished and crisp performance against a good opponent who kept it tight n the first half. In the second half, Raúl García and Adrián came on and help change things. Atletico picked up their thirteenth win in the league and are level on points with Barcelona ahead of their trip on Sunday to San Mames against Athletic.
Atletico Madrid was aware of what was to be found in the Martinez Valero Stadium, a hardened Elche who went in to battle from the first minute. Not surprisingly, the group coached by Fran Escribá is having an excellent return to the top flight and, as they made clear last week, will give their all. In fact last Sunday they defeated Valencia on the same ground and also only lost to Real Madrid in injury time to a controversial penalty.
From the start it was obvious what type of game we would have, two powerful sides with neither looking to back down. A set piece created the first chance of the match for the red and whites from a corner that Koke sent towards the head Gabi before Miranda tried finishing but Manu Herrera saved well after 10 minutes.
Elche had two good chances in the first half, the first for Coro with a shot that hit the right hand post. Immediately afterwards, Arda Turan sent the ball to Diego Costa who’s shot grazed the wood the wood work. Boakye had the a chance in the first period, but it sailed high over the crossbar.
Just before halftime there were two more chance for Atleti from Arda Turan and Diego Costa but Manu Herrera and his defence held firm.
After the break, Atleti went on to have the better for the game. It seemed that Elche came out with less impetus allowing Atleti to control things. Elche tried to hit the visitors on the break and in one of those occasions Carles Gil try to beat Courtois but the Belgian keeper sent it out for a corner.
The game changed from that moment. Simeone brought on Raúl García and just two minutes later he was involved in the opening goal. From his shot Manu Herrera only saved as far as Koke who took advantage to give his side the lead.
Arda Turan scored what could have been a second but referee Ferreiro disallowed it as he saw a foul in the build up, although there appeared to be nothing in it. It was the prelude to the second goal for Atletico as the coach brought on Adrian on the 70th minute and like after the first change, the substitute served it up to Diego Costa to double the lead on put the tie out of the reach of the home side.
Atletico Madrid rounded off a god victory thanks to the goals from Koke and Diego Costa. A very intense game in the first half but Simeone’s changes were instrumental in both goals again showing the depth of the squad.
