Atlético Madrid host Villarreal CF on Saturday night at the Metropolitano, in what will be their fourth attempt to win their first LaLiga match of the season.
Just when Diego Simeone thought that the international break could provide a chance to reset and go again after his team’s poor start, news of injuries to key players arrived at the training ground which could affect how El Cholo sets his team up.
Atlético have only lost once to Villarreal
in the last seven years; however, of the remaining 13 encounters in that timeframe, eight have been draws. And when you factor in how well Villarreal have begun their campaign, this weekend has the potential to be another dour experience for rojiblancos around the world.
The Yellow Submarine swatted aside LaLiga newcomers Real Oviedo on matchday one before tearing through Girona FC the following weekend, putting five goals past the Catalans. Before the international break, they conceded a late equaliser away to Celta Vigo after missing several chances to put the game to bed. This puts Marcelino’s side on seven points in third place; they sit above FC Barcelona and RCD Espanyol due to their superior goal difference.
Where this weekend’s visitors are yet to threaten Atleti in terms of league position, they always seem to match los colchoneros when the two sides meet. Memorable encounters include when, in our title-winning campaign of 2013/14, Raúl García nodded in a crucial header from a corner to seal a typical 1-0 home victory with only six matches to go before the end of the season.
Team news
Álex Baena’s injury news has only gotten worse since we learned of his absence in the last two league fixtures. The Spain international was operated on for an “acute appendicitis” that could rule him out until October.
Baena will be joined on the sidelines by fellow new signing Thiago Almada, who returned from international duty with muscle discomfort. With the necessity to win this weekend, plus the matches against Liverpool and Real Madrid on the horizon, Almada’s absence could prove to be detrimental given his impressive showings so far this season.
José María Giménez remains out of action, without any indication of his return both from the player’s and club’s point of view.
Diego Simeone on Friday tested Koke and Pablo Barrios in a potential starting midfield, with Giuliano Simeone and new signing Nico González either side of the central pair. You might have expected Alexander Sørloth to once again feature in the 11 after he grabbed consecutive starts against Elche and Alavés, but El Cholo is planning to start Antoine Griezmann next to Julián Alvarez for the first time this season.
(Though Sørloth’s Norway beat Moldova 11-1 over the international break, Sørloth failed to score or provide an assist in 64 minutes played.)
In defense, Dávid Hancko may be rested to give Clément Lenglet and Matteo Ruggeri further starts, while the momentum of the international break could power Giacomo Raspadori to his first goal contribution as an Atlético player on Saturday. Raspadori netted two goals and two assists for Italy over the FIFA break, and he might have a say in the outcome of this one.
Predicted lineup
Oblak; Llorente, Le Normand, Lenglet, Ruggeri; Giuliano, Barrios, Koke, Nico González; Griezmann, Alvarez.
