Matchday 13
After consummating its European debacle, Atlético urgently needs to react to a needy Espanyol to cling to the League
In times of crisis after falling in Cádiz and Porto and being dropped even from the second European division, Cholo Simeone appealed this Saturday to the classic values of “family” and “unity” to solve problems and recover pride and the identity in the league clash this Sunday at the Wanda Metropolitano against Espanyol. In the first afternoon session, the appointment is presented as a plebiscite to the Argentine coach, increasingly discussed, to the team, unknown even in attitude, and to the leaders.
It is the worst moment for Atlético in eleven years with Simeone, but he is already used to moving through modern arenas in recent years. You just have to remember that defeat at home against bottom side Levante last February, the elimination from the Champions League in a group with Qarabag in the 17-18 campaign, although Atlético would end up champion of the Europa League, their sad performance two years ago until the pandemic, when he was sixth, or his failures in the Copa del Rey with Cultural and Cornellà.
Now more than ever, Cholo clings to match after match, to achieve a victory against Espanyol, also needed because he flirts with the dangerous zone, to continue third and not move further away from Real Madrid, leader with nine points ahead of him. eternal rival, and Barça, one step away from the reigning champion. The mattresses are on the edge, with a serious risk of also saying goodbye to the League before reaching the World Cup in Qatar.
Seven goals conceded in the last three games, concentrated in a tragic week, point to the organization of the team, which defends poorly from its own attack and does not play anything. Their fans, quite tired of being bored day by day, have only seen three wins in eight home games this season and only one in the five recent games. It was the agonizing 2-1 against Girona.
Llorente returns
Without Koke, due to injury, and Saúl, due to suspension, Simeone will introduce four camps with respect to Porto: Marcos Llorente, back in the starting lineup eight games later, with the World Cup already in sight; Kondogbia, who returns to the axis of the center of the field after the inconvenience suffered in Cádiz; Carrasco, who takes up the left wing; and Álvaro Morata, who will play in attack alongside the undisputed Griezmann. After appearing with more pain than glory in Do Dragao, Joao Félix returns to the bench.
Opposite, a Espanyol in which their coach, Diego Martínez, is also discussed, after winning one of the eight previous games. The parakeets, however, were the first visitors in history to win at the Metropolitano (0-2, on May 6, 2018) and last season they lost due to a VAR penalty that Carrasco converted with time already up. They appear without the injured Rubén Sánchez, Adrià Pedrosa and Gori, but in search of a victory that has eluded them since October 16, when they beat Pucela by the minimum.
-Probable alignments:
-
Athletic:
Oblak, Molina, Savic, Giménez, Reinildo, Llorente, De Paul, Kondogbia, Carrasco, Griezmann and Morata. -
Spanish:
Lecomte, Óscar Gil, Sergi Gómez, Cabrera, Oliván, Vini Souza, Darder, Edu Expósito, Puado, Braithwaite, Joselu. -
Referee:
Pulido Santana (C. Las Palmas). -
Stadium:
Metropolitan. -
Time and TV:
2:00 p.m. Dazn.
#Plebiscite #Cholo #Metropolitan