Atlético returned to Wanda Metropolitano as champions of the last League and in the return of part of their fans to the mattress fiefdom. Simeone maintained his system with three centrals despite the absence of specialists due to the losses of Hermoso and Felipe and adapted Kondogbia to that line outlined to your natural leg. It was difficult for the rojiblanco team to decipher the line of three centrals from Elche, with doubts when it came to picking up someone in the middle to throw off the pressure or let the defenders of the Elche team come out easy, something that Simeone improved by overtaking Lemar.
Correa returned to macar, taking advantage of a great send from De Paul to space and an error from Casilla. The Argentine left flashes of his class on long passes in his first start at Atlético. At game time, Simeone moved the team, Trippier and Suárez entered to return to a very recognizable version: the English right lane, Carrasco left lane and Saúl and Llorente occupying the center of the field with Koke, with Suárez and Correa at the top. Atlético slipped back in the second half and it became increasingly difficult for them to reach the rival area.
Oblak: He had to act for the first time well into the second half, safely stopping a distant shot. Nor did he leave any concessions to Benedetto's long shot. It was essential for the Slovenian to get a clean sheet again, after having chained an unusual series of matches receiving a goal counting the last three games of last season, the five friendlies and the debut against Celta.
Savic: Profiled to the right and in charge of closing the line and Llorente's back when Mojica tried to enter from the side. He fought on his back with Boyé and was attentive to avoid Elche's cons. He suffered several blows that left him bruised and in the second half he was running out of ways to find his teammates comfortable before the rise of the Elche lines.
Gimenez: He was aware that Kondogbia, his partner in the left profile, was playing in a less natural position, so he was very attentive to guard his back and go out if necessary. Thus he cut several centers providentially. He had the goal with a powerful header after a corner taken by Koke, rising above the entire defense, but he ran into Casilla's gloves. Imperial, when he's at this level, he's an impressive central defender.
Kondogbia: The absence of Hermoso and Felipe led Cholo to turn to Kondogbia as a third center-back, outlined on the left to his natural leg. He tried to be a clean start from behind as is often the case when Hermoso plays and he was attentive. His prodigious physique allows him to win almost all aerial duels and he is very attentive to cut any ball in his area. Although it is an unusual position for him, which was noticed in some exit from site and some lack, he was very confident, with Giménez always close in case he had to lend a hand. Great job at that position.
Llorente: While Trippier continues in the process of gaining optimal form, it has become clear that Llorente is the cholo's favorite resource to replace him ahead of Vrsaljko, although the Croatian is the natural replacement. The '14' loses a lot of shine in that position, more sacrificed in defense and treading little area, where last season he uncovered himself as a killer. He tried to double the band a lot, reach the baseline to look for a center, although in the first half, without Suárez, it was difficult to find a finisher against the three central Elche. At game time, Trippier entered the field and was able to position himself in the center of the field, where De Paul had played.
Saul: He is in good shape and Simeone has found his place as a left winger, with power to start the race and fewer obligations in the distribution of the game. He was the first to look for the goal with a powerful long shot that went over the top. Active in pressure, with intensity to bite and try to steal and get out. He constantly received the love of the fans. It was difficult for him to maintain the place as a lane and Simeone saw that Elche began to enter his side. With the tactical changes he returned to the center of the field for the last half hour. There he breaks down, he gives everything in the pressure, although it is difficult for him to connect with the ball.
Rodrigo de Paul, during the match against Elche.
JAVIER SORIANO (AFP)
Koke: Back to the pivot, where he played so much and so well last season. He sought to go down to receive and get the ball, but Elche's slogan was clear, not to let him play. For this reason, it took him more than usual to manage the game and he tried to move a lot to favor the spaces for De Paul and Lemar with his unchecks.
From Paul: First start at Atlético and first assist. He received in the middle after a ball cut by Kondogbia, raised his head and put it into space as he did in the Copa América to defeat Brazil. This time he found Correa, who took advantage of Casilla's failure to score. He once again demonstrated his quality by sending into space with another great ball for Carrasco, who was about to score his goal. He played as a midfielder, occupying the profile he likes the most in the wide area of the field, thrown to the right and helping Koke a lot. He had Llorente constantly doubling him with unchecks to the gap that he tried to take advantage of. Replaced at meeting time after a good presentation to your audience.
Lemar: Very active from the start, wanting to be the protagonist from the start of the game. He continues with the dynamics that made him the undisputed starter for Cholo, asking for the ball and being electric with him in his movements. Spin, break lines and dribble. Atlético was not getting to read the pressure on Elche, but after the hydration break in the first half, Simeone advanced his position to collaborate with Carrasco and Correa. In the second half it was more difficult to find him, trying to play as midfielder, but against a very closed midfield. After an unnecessary loss, Simeone replaced him with Suárez, earning a standing ovation.
Carrasco: He went back to form a forward with Correa, trying to take advantage of the few spaces that Elche left with unchecked falling to the left wing, where he most likes to enter. Vertical, as always, generated danger when he was able to face his pair, although it was difficult to find him an advantage, with many difficulties when he had to play on his back. With the changes of minute 60 he went from the lead to the left lane, a drastic movement. And with the entry of Lodi, he returned to raise his position to the front next to Suárez.
Strap: Without Suárez still in the eleven, he continues to score goals as Atlético's reference point and there are already three in two days. And that the task as a reference above was complicated, having to measure behind with three physically powerful centrals that made things very complicated to be able to receive from behind. In the second half, Atlético concentrated on long balls from behind, so it was very difficult for the Argentine to receive an advantage.
Half an hour for Suárez and Trippier
Luis Suarez: He appeared before his fans, who in the first season had had to see him on television and showed his affection for the top scorer of the team that won LaLiga. He looked for the goal with a left foot that went far over the top, taking advantage of Carrasco's back pass. He went down to receive his back to give oxygen to his companions when they were having the worst.
Trippier: His entry moved Llorente to the center of the field. He searched with long balls for the unchecking of Suárez and Llorente behind the back of Elche. Very smart when he was able to get comfortable in the right lane to break lines with his good vision. Good English, which has to be fundamental again.
I gave it: The last ten minutes of the meeting for the Brazilian to position himself as left winger, where Cholo wants to give more prominence this season. His first attempt to go out on the band could have cost a disappointment after playing in a rival. Elche looked for his band.