Three days after securing an emotional, dominant win over FC Barcelona in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semifinals, Atlético de Madrid resume their inconsistent league campaign with a visit to Rayo Vallecano — who will “host” this fixture at Estadio Ontime Butarque instead of Estadio de Vallecas.
The gap in LaLiga is too large now for Atlético (13-6-4, 45 points) to mount anything close to a title challenge over the next few months. With a frantic schedule between now and the March international
break, Diego Simeone and his staff will be focused on keeping players fresh, and performances at a level acceptable enough to secure third place come May.
Coming off the 4-0 win over Barça on Thursday, Atleti will hope to extend an impressive record against derby rivals Rayo. The Rojiblancos have won five of the past six meetings with the Franjirrojos, and 14 of the past 17 meetings in LaLiga since August 2013.
So why are Rayo (5-7-10, 22 points) hosting this match at second-tier Leganés’ stadium instead of their Vallecas home? Well, after the previous weekend’s game pitting Rayo against Real Oviedo was postponed, Vallecas failed another pitch inspection on Thursday, with LaLiga deeming the playing field unfit for purpose.
It is the latest in a string of controversies centered on Rayo president Raúl Martín Presa, who is facing further calls to sell as the team has slipped into the drop zone. Rayo have lost their past three league games and have been sucked in fully to LaLiga’s expansive relegation fight.
Team news
Diego Simeone could make aggressive rotations to the side that beat Barcelona on Thursday. In response to having to play a third successive league game with less than the “AFE-mandated” 72 hours of rest, Simeone in training on Saturday rolled out a lineup with nine changes relative to the cup game — and it is very well the lineup we could see at Butarque on Sunday afternoon.
Nahuel Molina and Matteo Ruggeri are the only players who may keep their place, as Josema Giménez and Clément Lenglet started in place of Dávid Hancko and Marc Pubill on Saturday. Johnny Cardoso is in line for an immediate return to the lineup after a three-game absence due to an adductor injury; new signing Rodri Mendoza could partner him, while Álex Baena and Nico Gonzalez would complete the midfield. Up top, Alexander Sørloth would return to the 11, partnered with Thiago Almada.
There is a growing sense that Nico’s Atleti future is in some doubt, as Ademola Lookman’s arrival already has cut into his playing time. The club must pay Juventus a €32 million fee (in three installments) if Nico plays at least 45 minutes in nine more league games until the end of the season.
Possible 11 Oblak; Nahuel, Giménez, Lenglet, Ruggeri; Baena, Johnny, Mendoza, Nico; Almada, Sørloth.
