Elche vs Atletico Madrid

Atletico Madrid, the leaders of La Liga, will make the trip to the Estadio Martinez Valero on Wednesday for their Copa del Rey clash with second-tier side Elche. This match is poised to be an exciting one, with both teams coming into the fixture with impressive recent form, albeit from different divisions and levels of competition. Elche, playing in the Segunda Division, will be eager to pull off an upset against the reigning Spanish league leaders, while Atletico will be determined to continue their strong run in both domestic and cup competitions.

Elche, managed by head coach Eder Sarabia, have been performing exceptionally well in recent weeks, and they will view this Copa del Rey clash as an opportunity to test themselves against one of the top teams in Spain. They have enjoyed an impressive run of form, winning each of their last four competitive matches, all without conceding a single goal. This solid defensive form has been key to their success, and Sarabia's side will hope to maintain that resilience when facing Atletico Madrid.

Their most recent triumph in the Copa del Rey was a comprehensive 4-0 victory against Las Palmas, a team currently competing in La Liga. The goals in that tie came from four different players—Rodrigo Mendoza, David Affengruber, Jose Salinas, and Nicolas Fernandez—all of whom will have boosted their confidence ahead of the Atletico game. This victory was a statement performance from Elche, proving that they can compete at a high level despite being in the second division. That result also underscored their ability to perform in cup competitions, something that will undoubtedly give them belief as they prepare to face Atletico.

Elche's recent form in league play has also been strong, with their most recent victory coming on Sunday against Real Zaragoza. Elbasan Rashani scored a dramatic 93rd-minute winner to secure a crucial three points, pushing Elche into the automatic promotion spots in the Segunda Division. This result extended their unbeaten run to 10 matches, with seven wins and three draws. They have kept clean sheets in seven of these games, a testament to their defensive solidity and discipline under Sarabia's management.

The fact that Elche has not lost in their last 10 competitive matches is an impressive feat for a team in the second tier. This form, coupled with their home advantage, will give them added confidence going into the Copa del Rey clash against Atletico. Their recent home form has also been excellent, winning nine of their last 12 games at the Estadio Martinez Valero, with two draws and only one defeat. Their five consecutive home wins will be a particularly encouraging statistic for Sarabia's men as they prepare for a difficult encounter with one of Spain’s top clubs.

Historically, Elche has not made it past the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey in many years, with their last significant run coming in the 1968-69 season. On that occasion, they made it all the way to the final before being defeated by Athletic Club. That achievement remains a high point in the club's history, and with their current form, they will be eager to reach the quarter-finals again, if not go further.

Atletico Madrid, on the other hand, will come into the match with an air of invincibility after winning their last 14 competitive fixtures. Since their narrow defeat to Real Betis in late October, Diego Simeone’s side has not looked back, putting together a remarkable streak of victories across both domestic and cup competitions. The winning run began with a 2-0 triumph over Vic, followed by a 3-1 win against Cacereno in the second round of the Copa del Rey. Atletico’s most recent cup clash was against Marbella, a third-tier side, and while they were unable to put on a dominant performance, they still secured a 1-0 victory, with Antoine Griezmann scoring the decisive goal in the 16th minute.

Atletico’s solid cup form has been matched by their impressive performances in La Liga, where they remain at the top of the standings. Their most recent league fixture was a 1-0 win against their closest rivals, Real Madrid, thanks to a goal from Julian Alvarez. This victory sent Atletico to the top of the league, just one point clear of Real Madrid in second place and six points ahead of Barcelona in third. With La Liga glory in sight, Atletico will not want to let their focus slip in the Copa del Rey, where they have set their sights on reaching the quarter-finals for a third consecutive season.

Simeone, who has been with Atletico for over a decade, will have his eyes firmly fixed on the Copa del Rey as an additional avenue for success this season. While they have won the La Liga title in recent years, Atletico has not lifted the Copa del Rey since the 2012-13 season, and they will be determined to add another cup triumph to their collection. The current squad is brimming with talent, with players like Griezmann, Alvarez, and Joao Felix leading the charge. These key individuals, along with a solid defensive unit, have put Atletico in a position where they can compete for silverware on multiple fronts.

The draw for the Copa del Rey this season has been kind to Atletico in many respects, as they have been able to secure favorable results in the earlier rounds. However, they will be mindful of their most recent encounter with Elche, which ended in a 1-0 defeat in May 2023. While Atletico has historically dominated their encounters with Elche, with 10 wins in their last 12 meetings (along with one draw and one loss), that defeat will serve as a reminder that no match can be taken for granted. Elche’s recent form, combined with the unpredictability of cup competitions, means Atletico will need to remain focused and avoid underestimating their opponents.

Atletico will also be looking to maintain their strong record against teams from the lower divisions, and they will be aiming to ensure they progress to the quarter-finals. Having reached that stage in the previous two seasons, they will want to make it three in a row, and a victory over Elche would set them on the path toward a potential deep run in the tournament. However, with Elche’s strong defensive record and home advantage, Atletico will need to be at their best to avoid an upset.

The match is shaping up to be an intriguing encounter between a team from the second division with nothing to lose and a La Liga powerhouse looking to continue their trophy hunt. Elche will be buoyed by their recent form and will view this match as an opportunity to make a statement, while Atletico will be determined to assert their dominance and take another step closer to lifting the Copa del Rey. The result will be crucial for both teams, as Elche seeks to continue their promotion push and Atletico aims to secure another cup victory to complement their league success.

As the teams take to the pitch at the Estadio Martinez Valero, both will be fully aware of the stakes involved. For Elche, this is a chance to prove that they can compete with the best in Spain, while for Atletico Madrid, it is a step toward continuing their dominance and adding another title to their illustrious history. The excitement around this cup fixture is palpable, and fans from both sides will be eagerly anticipating what promises to be a thrilling encounter.