World News – USA – Atlético Madrid, Elche meet for the first time since 2015 in LaLiga

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Elche is coming to the city for the first time since a Copa del Rey meeting in 2017, when the Alicante-based team played in Segunda B.. Three seasons later, Jorge Almirón’s men are back in the top division after being sentenced to relegation five years ago due to financial irregularities. They were hard to beat – despite having been beaten by nearly 100 attempts this season, the visitors on Saturday have drawn four from their last five games and are sitting three points above the drop zone.

Atlético climbed to LaLiga on goal difference after Real Sociedad lost in Barcelona on Wednesday. Instead of playing a league game that day, Los Rojiblancos competed in the Copa del Rey, where he faced Segunda B’s Cornellà in January. That might as well never be for Diego Simeone, who did not comment on the trophy during Friday’s media availability.

« Moose are fine, maybe the results don’t fairly reflect what they did, » Simeone said. “(They have) a possession style, an Argentine coach (who) took a big step forward there in football and he will certainly do well in Spain. You will be a tough opponent. ”

Atleti has never lost a home game against Elche and has 23 wins from 26 league and cup matches. On Saturday, Simeone will reintroduce the star talent he was resting in Cardassar during the week. The coach also welcomes Diego Costa back much earlier than expected following his diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis.

« I see (Costa) spectacular, he’s a very positive guy, mentally strong and nothing takes him out of his fighting spirit, in life and in play, » said Simeone. “We hope he is doing well personally, and if he is available, ask for what he can give us, which is a great deal. ”

Costa scored a goal in each of Atlético’s 2-0 wins against Elche in 2013-14, but it remains to be seen what role he will play in that game – the final replay of a 61-year-old pair João Félix and Luis Suárez as front runners. There are ongoing concerns about the coronavirus in the first team after substitute goalkeeper Ivo Grbić tested positive on Friday morning, but expectations remain for the game to continue as planned.

« The doctor told us (Friday) morning that there had been a positive result and that we had to live with this situation, » said Simeone. “It is a difficult year with many circumstances and it will happen to us and to others and we have to find a way to resolve it.

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Atlético Madrid, Diego Simeone, Diego Costa, Elche CF, La Liga, Luis Suárez, Ivo Grbić