The green-and-white team, deeply involved in an intense battle for survival, welcomes Simeone's side four days after their defeat in the Copa del Rey final. While Elche seeks to remain in the top flight for another year, the Madrid team is focusing its efforts on the Champions League.

Elche approaches this match after two consecutive rounds in the relegation zone. Despite securing two victories in their last three games, the team is in eighteenth place with 32 points, very close to Alavés, who mark the safety zone with one more point. After this match, Elche will visit Oviedo, Celta, Betis, and Girona, and will host Alavés and Getafe before the season concludes.

Meanwhile, Atlético de Madrid arrives at the Martínez Valero after their penalty shootout loss against Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey final. In the league, Simeone's team occupies fourth place with 57 points, with no chance of winning the title but with their Champions League qualification secured. Their next opponents will be Athletic, Celta, and Girona at home, and Valencia, Osasuna, and Villarreal away, in addition to their European commitments.

In the first-round match, played on Matchday 2, both teams drew. The red-and-white team took the lead in the eighth minute with a goal from Sorloth, and the green-and-whites responded seven minutes later with a great counter-attack culminating in a goal by Rafa Mir.

The match between Elche and Atlético de Madrid can be followed live on DAZN, a platform that will offer an extensive pre-match show with protagonists from both teams starting half an hour before kick-off.