Julián Álvarez scored a double and saved Atlético from a failure in the Copa del Rey :: Olé

Julián Álvarez saved Atlético Madrid from what could have been a historic failure in the Copa del Rey. The Argentine striker entered Cholo Simeone’s team from the bench and scored two goals to beat the modest Vic, a club that competes in the Catalan regional league, that is, the Sixth Division of Spanish football. Thank goodness Spider was there…

Despite the gigantic difference in quality in both teams, Atlético suffered much more than expected at the Hipolit Planas stadium, a venue that added stands especially for this match and expanded its capacity to 7,000 spectators. Although Simeone initially put in several substitutes, among them the Argentines Juan Musso (second match in the colchonero goal), Giuliano Simeone and Ángel Correadue to hierarchy it should have been defined much earlier.

Aleti came from two defeats in a row and with just one win in its last six appearances. An unusual scenario in Simeone’s extensive management at the head of the team. That’s why, A defeat in the first round of the Copa del Rey against a much inferior team could lead to a debacle. Under normal circumstances, in fact, Cholo would have put a team entirely made up of substitutes, but just in case he added a starter against Vic, like Nahuel Molina at right back.

Those from Madrid had added merits to take the lead and the local goalkeeper was a figure, but the story was only unraveled ten minutes from the end. The entry of Julián (Griezmann and captain Koke also entered) at 58′ made the team’s needs evident and ended up being decisive in saving Atlético.

The 1-0 score only came nine minutes from the end of a game that seemed destined to be decided from the 12th step. The referee awarded a controversial penalty on Giuliano Simeone (without VAR to check in this instance of the Cup, in the first half there was a clear handball in the Vic area that the judge did not see), a local footballer was sent off and Julián took charge, who adjusted it against the left post to advance his team.

Eight minutes later, at 89′, Álvarez scored again and ended the story. Aleti had a perfect counterattack from their area and Angelito Correa ended up assisting Araña, who hooked his marker and scored at the far post. It was the first double for the former River since his arrival in Spain. In total he has six goals and one assist in 15 games played with the red and white shirt in all competitions.

Suffered classification to the 32nd finals of the Copa del Rey for an Aleti who will have to raise his level a lot if he intends to have a season in line with the great expectations generated by the transfer market. This time he was saved by Julián, who had been playing on the wing in most of the games and, with his two shouts entering as a defined 9, he made it clear what his place is on the field.