Under intense rains in Majadahonda and with assured losses in Llorente, Baena and Giménez, the Atletico Madrid has finished preparing ahead of his imminent debut in the Copa del Rey, today at the home of Atlético Baleares of the Second RFEF ( … 7:00 p.m., Movistar Plus), a team which had already appeared as heroes in the previous round by eliminating an entire Primera team like Espanyol. The cup tournament has always brought back good memories for the rojiblancos, like those acquired in 1996 either 2013their last conquests, although in the last campaigns there were also nightmares, disastrous memories of defeats on tiny fields, with artificial turf and stands full of excitement.
In 2020, it was the Leonese culturalin the round of 16, the executioner of the Madrid team after an impeccable comeback. A goal in the 82nd minute forced extra time and, in the 107th minute, the home side finished the job. Only a year later, the scene was even more dramatic, Cholo and his students being taken down by the Cornellá of the defunct Second Division B. The Catalans took the advantage from the first games, a hump which ended up becoming an insurmountable mountain for the red and whites. It is true that his performance in recent editions has improved, having been a semi-finalist in the last two years, but Cholo, in a press conference, has already taken it upon himself to recall how labyrinthine and deadly the KO tournament can be.
“You have to understand the competition, it is complex. In fact, it is always, with great difficulty, their enthusiasm, their enthusiasm… There is also little interest on the part of some teams and, when we realize it, it is already too late, we cannot react and there is only one match in the opposing camp (…) When the competition is a single match, it is always more difficult, more intense… Whoever makes a mistake is left behind,” said the Argentinian, who also took it upon himself to congratulate his rival this afternoon “We are going to face a team who had a very good match with the. Spanish. Espanyol, in the league, is doing very, very well, so beyond that, it’s very clear.
Like the rest of the First Division shields, the Athletic will take advantage of the duel to make rotations, so it will not be strange to see players like Javi Galán, Almada, Raspadori or Musso in the goal. Johnny Cardosoinjured in the clash against Barcelona a few weeks ago, his participation is unclear due to a relapse. Instead, Carlos Martinyoung colchonero player since the age of six and loaned last season to Alavés, has a good chance of entering the starting lineup.
The young winger is a special case. He was close to leaving the club last summer after his strong season in Victoriabut was ultimately retained under Simeone’s mantle, despite having only played one minute in official competition so far, against Eintracht Frankfurt. However, during the friendly match against Inter Milanin Libya on November 10, surprised with an impressive goal. “It’s good to have career players. They bring passages of what has been experienced in this club… We now have Koke, Fernando (Torres), Saúl, Pablo (Barrios)… They always give energy,” Simeone explained about the striker.
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