MADRID, Jan. 22 (SportsFinding) –
Atlético de Madrid will test its irregularity in the Kingdom of León, where it will debut in the Copa del Rey against Cultural Leonesa, one of the five qualifiers that this Thursday will close the round of 32 among which also highlights the visits of Leganés and Eibar to two other clubs of Segunda B, Ebro and Badajoz, respectively.
The improvement experienced by Atlético during the Supercopa of Spain, where he beat Barcelona and only the penalties deprived him of the title against Real Madrid, was halted in Ipurua, where Eibar took a deserved victory (2-0) and filled again with doubts the mattress project.
Atletico, who has not played a Cup final for almost seven years, begins his career against an affordable opponent by category, but dangerous due to the single game duel and because this season he is performing at a very good level in Group II of Second B , where it is second to three points of the leadership.
This copero confrontation already occurred in two consecutive seasons, 2003-04 and 2004-04, in both cases with victories of Atlético (0-2 and 0-1) and the last one with a goal from Fernando Torres. In case of not extending that positive streak, an important crisis could be unleashed in the absence of half a season.
Simeone travels to León without Jan Oblak or Álvaro Morata, for rest, in addition to the injured Giménez, Lemar, Koke, Trippier and Diego Costa. Instead, the Argentine coach has quoted Saponjic, which is not usual, and the canteranos Álex, Manu Sánchez, Riquelme and Camello.
The other two most designated qualifiers will be played at Pedro Sancho de Zaragoza and at the New Nursery of Badajoz. In the first, the Leganés will face a competition that can be even 'annoying', since his fight for survival in LaLiga Santander is his great workhorse. The Aragonese club occupies the twelfth position in Group II of the bronze division, where its goal is also salvation.
For its part, the Badajoz comes from eliminating Las Palmas and now seeks an 'dam' of even greater category. Fourth ranked in Group IV, he has the experience on the bench of the Franco-Tunisian Mehdi Nafti, who played several seasons in the First Division and in the English Premier. Eibar will give rest to important players like Fabian Orellana, José Ángel or Takashi Inui.
In theory, less unbalanced clashes occur in Vallecas and Miranda between First and Second Division teams. In the Madrid neighborhood, Rayo Vallecano receives an euphoric Real Betis after his great performance against Real Sociedad. Both occupy intermediate positions in their respective classifications and getting away in the Cup can be an exciting goal.
Finally, Mirandés receives Celta in the Municipal Stadium of Anduva. Surprising semifinalist of the Cup in the 2011-12 season, the Burgos team has a good opportunity to return to the knockout stage against an opponent who, as is the case with Leganés, focuses his efforts on LaLiga.
– THURSDAY PROGRAM IN THE KING'S CUP.
Ebro – Leganés 19.00 hours.
Mirandés – Celta 19.00.
Badajoz – Eibar 21.00.
Rayo Vallecano – Real Betis 21.00 hours.
Cultural Leonesa – Atlético de Madrid 21.00 hours.