Simeone's men couldn't fall further behind after losing in Cornellà, and Elche wants to rub salt in the wound and continue to feel good.
MADRID, 22 (EUROPA PRESS)
Atlético de Madrid face Elche CF this Saturday (7:30 p.m.) in the second matchday of LaLiga EA Sports 2025-26, in the team's reunion with its fans and its stadium, and they arrive in need of a reaction in the form of a victory after failing in their debut, while the Elche team debuted with a draw and want to confirm their good feelings so as not to leave the Metropolitano empty-handed.
Diego Pablo Simeone's charges return to their home ground this Saturday after an unexpected stumble against RCD Espanyol (2-1) in their third consecutive visit to Cornellà without a win. They therefore need an immediate reaction to avoid losing ground too quickly in the wake of FC Barcelona and Real Madrid.
And to forget their first opening-day defeat in the Primera Division since the 2009-10 season, they return to the shelter of the Metropolitano, where they have only lost to Barça so far in 2025. Now, Simeone, in his fifteenth season in charge of the team, faces a major overhaul of his squad after a season below expectations, with the aim of fitting all the pieces together.
Although they already have their first unforeseen injury, with the absence of Álex Baena, the most exciting signing of the summer, due to a muscle problem. Alex Sörloth, Giacomo Raspadori, and Antoine Griezmann are competing to fill his spot, while Julián Álvarez, scorer of a stunning free-kick in Cornellà, will continue to be the attacking key, with Thiago Almada tasked with providing the glue between the midfield and the attack.
In that midfield, Johnny Cardoso is already emerging as the vital number 5 to sustain the team, alongside youth player Pablo Barrios. And the defense, the most important aspect of "Cholo"'s team, already appears to have four clear names: Marcos Llorente, Robin Le Normand, Dávid Hancko, and Matteo Ruggeri.
There was criticism of Simeone for his substitutions against Espanyol, including the removal of Julián Álvarez with the score tied, in the eternal debate over style that surrounds the Argentine coach. This season, with players like Baena and Almada, as well as goalscorers like the former Manchester City striker and Sörloth, Atlético must take a step forward and not hesitate, and the first step must be against Elche at the Metropolitano.
Specifically, the Elche side has never beaten Atleti away from home in 29 visits and has lost in their last 18. Although in the last league meeting between the two teams, in the 2022-23 season, Elche won 0-1, the most recent defeat is the 0-4 for the Rojiblancos in the last Copa del Rey.
Eder Sarabia's Elche team smiled in their domestic debut with a draw against Real Betis, which came with some suspense. The Andalusians took the lead early, but let it slip, and the home side took advantage to push harder and harder against a packed Martínez Valero stadium, which was thrilled by Germán Valera's goal to make it 1-1. A point that left a good taste in the mouth and positive feelings as they travel to the difficult Metropolitano stadium.
Sarabia will have to decide whether to continue with his ball-heavy approach and risk relying on his defensive players to stop a dangerous Rojiblanco attack. The Bilbao coach is still without Yago Santiago and Adam Boayar, in addition to Josan Fernández, who has been training with the group but is nursing a hamstring injury.
As for the starting lineup, there could be some changes, such as the introduction of Martim Neto for Ali Houary, as well as a possible change of attacking players, with up to three names—Álvaro Rodríguez, André Silva, and Rafa Mir—in the No. 9 position. All of this is intended to continue that optimism and attack a strong stadium, but also to poke holes in the potential wounds of the Red and Whites after their opening-day defeat.
TECHNICAL SHEET.
–POSSIBLE LINEUPS:
Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Marcos Llorente, Le Normand, Hancko, Ruggeri; Simeone, Cardoso, Barrios, Almada; Sortloth and Julian Alvarez.
ELCHE CF: Dituro; Álvaro Núñez, Affengruber, Bigas, Pétrot; Febas, Aguado, Martim Neto; Valera, Álvaro Rodríguez and Mendoza.
–REFEREE: Soto Grado (C. Riojano).
–STADIUM: Riyadh Air Metropolitan.
–TIME: 7:30 PM/DAZN.
