Instead of healing Atletico’s wounds, suffered in La Liga and Champions League duels, the Copa del Rey clash against the sixth-tier side Vic only deepened Los Colchoneros crisis. Diego Simeone’s team secured the next round and that’s probably the only positive thing about it for Atletico. The Argentinian had to sub in Koke, Lemar, Alvarez and even Griezmann to beat the minnows and avoid the embarrassment. In the end, La Liga side triumphed 2-0 behind Alvarez’s brace, but the fact that one of the title contenders struggled for 80 minutes against the minnows is shameful.Qualification to the second round of the Copa del Rey ❤️🤍 pic.twitter.com/CzMYMyPU2G— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) October 31, 2024 Despite facing the sixth-tier club, Diego Simeone included some pretty notable names in the starting lineup, as Axel Witsel, Conor Gallagher, Nahuel Molina, Angel Correa, and Alexander Sorloth, among others, were all in the XI. Vic boss Ramon Carrascal said ahead of the historic clash that his players are pure amateurs who had to go to work and study since the game was scheduled for Thursday.Lack of motivation or something else, but Atletico initially had troubles with sturdy Catalans. Los Colchoneros created the first chance after 14 minutes, but Vic custodian Agustin Mora Gil outsmarted Correa in a one-on-one situation. Still, the home team did not hesitate to threaten (mainly from distance) Atletico’s Juan Musso between the posts.##NAJAVA_MECA_8457178##Interestingly, throughout the opening 25 minutes, Los Colchoneros’ players demanded a penalty as many as three times, but their wish was not granted. Atletico’s general first-half performance was abysmal – disheartened, uninspired, and unworthy of the club’s reputation. In the end, Correa’s opportunity turned out to be the only one Simeone’s men managed to create – against the sixth-tier side! Hence, no wonder the result at the break was 0-0. Simeone’s dissatisfaction was embodied in a double sub at the break, as the 54-year-old tactician sent Javi Galan, Thomas Lemar and Koke in for Sorloth and the duo of youngsters Javier Serrano and Ilias Kostis. Still, not much changed, given that Vic had the first massive chance through Marti Riera, whose effort from the edge of the box flew over the bar. Just like in the first period, Correa found himself in a colossal opportunity once more, only to be stopped by Mora Gil again.Emotional Omorodion on his time in Madrid: ‘I cried a lot at night’As Atletico’s struggles continued and their end was not on the horizon, Simeone had to make a desperate move and attack the minnows with his most valuable, most powerful, and most expensive weapon, Julian Alvarez, who replaced Rodrigo Riquelme in the 59th minute, as well as Antoine Griezmann, who entered for apparently injured Lemar seven minutes later. Alas, Riera kept tormenting the favourites’ defence as Vic became gradually more courageous as time passed.🕸️La araña bate a la arañaAl Vic se le complica dar la campanada después de que Julián Álvarez ponga por delante en el marcador al Atlético de Madrid 80 minutos ha resistido el equipo catalán #LaCopaRTVE #CopaDelRey https://t.co/ZP36T37lE7 pic.twitter.com/BOOEUGokJW— Teledeporte (@teledeporte) October 31, 2024 Yet, the difference in individual quality and physical preparation finally made an impact, and Atletico at last broke the deadlock, behind a penalty they were finally awarded, which Alvarez sent home for the lead. At the same time, Vic’s Alfons Senye was sent off, easing Los Colchoneros’ work in the last ten minutes. Nine minutes later, former Man City forward made it 2-0 after a counterattack, to definitely seal his team’s triumph.⚽⚽ Ex #River | Doblete de Julián Álvarez para el 2-0 del Atlético Madrid ante la Unió Esportiva Vic por la primera ronda de la Copa del Rey.pic.twitter.com/y3PiSnZKJ6— Frandeg_ (@_mundocarp_) October 31, 2024 Simeone’s squad won the game, but lost a lot of confidence and almost ruined the club’s reputation. The victory was the only good thing tonight, while everything else was embarrassing, to say the least. Atletico boss will have many problems to solve by Sunday and La Liga clash against Las Palmas, let alone the Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain at Parc des Princes. The expectations can’t be worse…COPA DEL REY – ROUND 2ThursdayVic – Atletico Madrid 0-2 (0-0)/Alvarez 81 pen, 90/
