Football: Atletico dumped out of Cup by third division Cornella gdnonline.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from gdnonline.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Atletico Madrid crashes out of Copa del Rey
By IANS |
Published on
Thu, Jan 7 2021 9:03 IST |
0 Views
Atletico Madrid crashes out of Copa del Rey. Image Source: IANS News
Madrid, Jan 7 : LaLiga leader Atletico Madrid became the highest profile victim of a giant-killing act when it was knocked out of the Copa del Rey by third-tier side Cornella.
A seventh-minute goal from Cornella defender Adrian Jimenez on Wednesday knocked Atletico out of the tournament at an early stage for the second year in succession, reports Xinhua news agency.
Atletico coach Diego Simeone fielded a strong side which included B-team defender Ricard Sanchez, who blotted his copybook when he was sent off for two yellow cards in the 63rd minute.
L Atlético mis à la porte par une D3 en Coupe du Roi sofoot.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from sofoot.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Adrian Jimenez met a free kick on the volley to score the only goal of the game in the seventh minute, while Atletico had right back Ricard Sanchez sent off midway through the second half after earning two bookings in the space of 12 minutes.
Atletico boss Diego Simeone rested some players for the second-round tie, played on an artificial pitch, but still fielded a strong side containing record signing Joao Felix plus fellow first-team regulars Renan Lodi, Jose Gimenez, Saul Niguez, Felipe and Angel Correa.
But he was forced to take Gimenez off in the 11th minute when the Uruguayan defender picked up an ankle injury, whilst Felix also hurt his ankle and was removed late in the second half.
The long-time coach named a strong side, including record signing Joao Felix, but saw his team remarkably unable to register a single shot on target.
Copa failings are a familiar story by now, though, with the Rojiblancos losing to Cultural Leonesa last season. Meanwhile, they have not beaten a fellow LaLiga outfit in the competition since seeing off Elche in January 2017.
Simeone recognised Atleti are struggling in one-off knockout matches - also losing in last season s Champions League to RB Leipzig - but added the surprising qualifier that it would be an issue to consider only if he was still at the helm next year.