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Atlético Madrid suffered a 3-2 defeat against Elche, marking their fourth consecutive loss in La Liga. Key players rested for an upcoming Champions League match, while Nico Gonzalez scored twice, but the team's poor defense and a red card for Thiago Almada contributed to the loss.
Key moments included a red card for Thiago Almada that led to a penalty for Elche and Nico Gonzalez scoring twice for Atlético despite the defeat.
Atlético Madrid has lost four consecutive matches in La Liga.
Almada's red card resulted in a penalty for Elche, contributing significantly to Atlético's defeat.
Nico Gonzalez scored both goals for Atlético Madrid during the match against Elche.
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For the second time this season, Nico Gonzalez has scored a brace in a match. What do those two matches have in common? He played on the right flank, rather than on the left, where he has been slotted for most of the season. On his 10th-minute opener, Nico started the attack, driving the ball forward from his own half before playing a one-two Rodri Mendoza, who delivered a marvelous back-heeled pass to assist. Then, down to ten men and down a goal on the scoreboard, Nico embarked on a powerful run down the right and scored a fantastic solo goal. Giuliano Simeone is in a bit of a form slump, and maybe a bit of competition would be good for El Choloâs son. And seeing how much more comfortable he appears as a left-footed right winger, maybe it makes more sense to keep Nico next season at a reduced price. If Mateu Alemany can negotiate down with Juventus into the âŹ15 million range, I think that is something the club should consider.
Perhaps if Almada does not pick up a red card leading directly to Elcheâs second, this match ends differently. But this match aside, the Argentine just doesnât look comfortable with the speed and tactical rigor of European football, and these factors are not helping him play his best. Almada has shown he has the ability, but heâs lacking confidence. The former Atlanta United star is too mistake-prone for Cholo Simeone to count on him consistently, and Wednesday was another unfortunate example. As for Baena, the noise is starting to get quite loud around the Spain international as he now has gone two months without a goal contribution. When AtlĂ©tico purchased Baena for âŹ42 million from Villarreal, high expectations and the #10 shirt accompanied the talented playmaker, who had created chances for fun in the previous three seasons playing his football at La CerĂĄmica. Baena has not recorded a goal contribution in any of his past 12 appearances, and he last scored a goal in December. Another potential problem with Baena can be seen in his body language. You can tell the player is visibly frustrated by his lack of success. Shortly after he was subbed on against Barcelona in the Camp Nou earlier this month, Baena picked up a yellow card and came dangerously close to picking up a second. Today, the Spaniard almost let his frustration get the best of him following a flying challenge on Buba SangarĂ©. Maybe a revised role following Griezmannâs departure will be good for Baena. But patience already is starting to run thin within the fanbase, and Baena will need to turn it around quickly if heâd like to remain in the Spanish capital.
Wednesday was not a great outing for Jan Oblak, the longtime star goalkeeper making his return after nearly six weeks out. However, Saturdayâs Copa del Rey final was not a great outing for cup hero Juan Musso, either. The debate has gone back and forth. After Saturday, many believed the debate was over, and Oblak would return following two mistakes from Musso in the Copa del Rey final, which ended with the Argentine failing to stop four of five penalties. But now, the pendulum appears to have swung back in the other direction after Oblak looked very shaky and shipped three goals to a side that began the day in 18th. This gives Musso at least a slight chance at making a return in the Champions League semifinals. The concerning part if youâre an AtlĂ©tico supporter is for so long you have been able to depend on a keeper in big moments. And the question, up until recently, has been âwho can best deliver that between Musso and Oblak?â But it feels now more like a question of âwho can make the fewest mistakes to carry Atleti across the finish line?â Perhaps itâs an overreaction and it is just a bit of rust for Oblak, who should get one more shot at a âtryoutâ to keep his place in Saturdayâs match against Athletic Club. And perhaps itâs an overreaction from the Copa del Rey final to assume Musso is no longer fit for purpose after a heroic month-plus between the sticks. Thatâs exactly what losses are for: overreactions! Feel free to give yours in the comments below.