Atlético de Madrid B hosted Hércules, one of the tough teams in the category, after defeating them 1-2 at Rico Pérez. The Alicante team comes from a home draw against Yeclano Deportivo and a 1-0 loss at Enrique Roca de Murcia, so they are not at their best either. Even less so is the Colchonero team, which has only won one of the last six matches, against Alcorcón at home.
Fernando Torres opted for Iturbe in goal, Martín, Kostis, Boñar, and Pablo Pérez with Javi Serrano and Joaquín in the midfield. Jano Monserrate and the return of Rayane Belaid to the starting line-up after his call-ups to the first team. Diego Bri, an Elche native trained and raised at Hércules's eternal rival, Elche, alongside Omar Janneh at the forefront of the attack.
The match began with Atlético pressing hard against the blue and whites, pressing and winning high, with approaches to Abad's goal. Martín Pascual shot into the side netting a cross with music from Jano Monserrate and a well-placed shot from Rayane, which Abad saved with a changed hand. These were the first warnings from Fernando Torres's team, aware of what was at stake on a very cold night in Majadahonda.
Dangerous Counterattacks from the Visitors
The visitors, in a great play by Javi Moreno, who piled up opponents time and again, found danger, but Boñar cleared the scare. Atleti replied with a fabulous counterattack by Rayane Belaid that Omar Janneh wanted to do the Juan Palomo, but Abad stopped him. Nico Espinoza tested a firm Iturbe, and Martín Pascual invented a bicycle kick that left the crowd speechless, although it didn't find much direction.
Atlético protested a very clear penalty on Omar Janneh, Montoro disengaged and unbalanced him with his hip, the referee ignored it. To top it off, he ended up sending off Boñar and leaving Torres's team with 10, in a play where Iturbe made a great save against Nico Espinoza again. Torres made a move by taking off Jano for Carlos Giménez, seeking to balance his defense.
Atlético Was Hurt by Boñar's Red Card and Struck First
In the second half, Atlético came out hurt, and Rayane rubbed the lamp, with a great goal entering the area and shooting low and placed. The goal was a blow for the Alicante team, who were better since Boñar's expulsion. Hércules tried to pin the red and whites against their area, taking advantage of the numerical superiority, with Dani Romera who found himself alone against Iturbe, but his shot hit the post.
Romera experienced the end of his horrible night, with a second yellow for dangerous play in an attempted bicycle kick. He hit Kostis in the face, and the referee left Hércules with 10, who were very affected by the expulsion. With an Atlético that noticed the drop in the Alicante team and raised their performance, and with the entry of Julio Díaz for Diego Bri.
Rayane feinted a shot and threaded a great pass to Omar Janneh, who sought Hércules's goal, and Abad replied remarkably. Torres already made the last changes, Niño for Omar, Dani Martínez for Joaquin, and David Muñoz for Rayane. The latter had the last chance, with a great cut and a very close shot, a vital triumph for the red and whites.