Depth, goalkeeping questions loom large as Atlético lose at Elche

Elche's Portuguese forward #09 Andre Silva is kissed by Elche's Spanish forward #10 Rafa Mir after scoring his team's second goal during the Spanish league football match between Elche CF and Club Atletico Madrid at Martinez Valero Stadium in Elche on April 22, 2026. (Photo by JOSE JORDAN / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images It was another league game where Diego Simeone rotated almost his entire Atlético Madrid squad ahead of another massive cup match in a week’s time. Julián Alvarez, Ademola Lookman, Marcos Llorente, Matteo Ruggeri, Alexander Sørloth and captain Koke all received well-earned rest ahead of next Wednesday’s all-important Champions League semifinal first leg against Arsenal .

For Atleti, the result in Wednesday’s match — a 3-2 defeat at relegation-imperiled Elche is more than fair. But there are positives coming out of Elx. Pablo Barrios made his first appearance since March 10, and Nico Gonzalez scored a brace.

Additionally, Obed Vargas and the academy products Julio Díaz and Javier Boñar all put in impressive outings. But the fact is, Atlético have lost four in a row in LALIGA, and this is the Colchoneros ’ seventh loss in their last eight matches across all competitions. Other reserves, like Thiago Almada and Álex Baena, played poorly; after half an hour, Almada was sent off for fouling Elche’s David Affengruber in the box after he lost the ball, which also gave the home team a penalty that André Silva duly dispatched.

Final en Elche. pic. twitter.