Atlético returns to LaLiga after the international break with all the focus on one player: Antoine Griezmann. The Frenchman returned to the rojiblanco club in the last minute of the market closing and will wear the rojiblanco shirt again with serious options to enter directly into the starting lineup against Espanyol (14:00, in Movistar LaLiga).
Simeone has his entire staff available for the first time this course, with João Félix and Herrera entering their first call-up of the season already recovered from their respective injuries. The participation of the hitherto untouchable strap with the Argentine team he could take him to the bench, same as Giménez, De Paul and Cunha, the four South Americans who participated in the international matches in the early hours of Thursday. That substitution of the Uruguayan would give Felipe the opportunity to debut this course, with his knee injury completely overcome.
Mandi's own goal saved a point for Atlético in the last minute of the match against Villarreal. The rojiblanco team generated many scoring chances and he received only two shots against, but with full success for the auctioneers of the yellow submarine. Suárez made his debut as a scorer, but was insufficient to take all three points. In total, those of Simeone they add two victories and that tie in the first three days, after starting the championship with victory in Balaídos against Celta (1-2) and beating Elche by the minimum with a goal from Correa (1-0) third in the first two games. Espanyol for its part looking for his first win after adding two draws and one loss without having managed to score on his return to First Division and conceding a bit.
Possible alignment of Simeone for Espanyol-Atlético
Atlético will not overly modify the system that has given them such good performance. Taking care of the physique of Giménez and Correa after their international commitments may lead Simeone to modify his scheme with the entrance of Felipe behind and Griezmann or João Félix in the front next to Suárez. Cholo has taken the 21 players he has to Cornellà (the entire first team except Saponjic) and could train with Oblak, Savic, Felipe, Hermoso, Trippier, Carrasco, Koke, Llorente, Lemar, Griezmann and Luis Suárez. On the bench there would be a replacement of guarantees in all lines, with Lecomte, Giménez, Vrsaljko, Lodi, Kondogbia, Herrera, De Paul, João Félix, Correa and Cunha waiting for your chance.