Atlético de Madrid heads to Alicante on Tuesday to face Elche after a painful exit from the Copa del Rey, with the team needing three points to stay in the Champions League places. The projected lineup points to Jan Oblak returning in goal after the muscle strain he suffered in March.
Oblak’s possible comeback is the clearest sign that Atlético are looking to steady themselves quickly after losing on penalties to Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey only days earlier. The projected side also lists Nahuel Molina at right back, with Marc Pubill and Clément Lenglet in central defense.
Several familiar names are expected to start on the bench, including Julián Álvarez, Marcos Llorente, Ademola Lookman, Koke and Juan Musso. That suggests Atlético may be managing legs after players recently went 90 minutes, and it leaves Diego Simeone with enough quality to rotate without losing sight of the league table.
The timing matters because Tuesday’s trip comes immediately after the cup setback and before the standings can tilt further against Atlético. A win in the elche c. f. - atlético madrid meeting would do more than repair a bad week; it would protect a place the club cannot afford to lose.
