The Metropolitan opens its doors on Friday to witness a confirmation. Two teams will search for her on her grass. Atleti, the home team, who since their League of 14 started only knows how to win (three wins in a row for the first time this season; Osasuna, Celta and Betis). The visitor, Cádiz, which, in descent, just looking to run away: last weekend he added his second victory with Sergio.
The rojiblancos are drowned by casualties, seven, a third of his squad, and Simeone, with only 13 outfield players, won’t have time to think about what’s coming. And what is coming is United, the second leg of the Champions League round of 16, with a 1-1 first leg and without being able to distribute breaks. Can not. Does not have.
LaLiga advanced this duel to Friday to give him one more day of preparation. It will be the first football in the history of the Metropolitan. And Atleti seeks to play football again, which emerged from that meeting with Miguel Ágel Gil after hitting rock bottom, after Levante: forget the past, just think about his League of 14. Cholo meditates on four changes: Koke, Savic, Griezmann and Carrasco Of start. The first two would return after injury. The captain to a center with De Paul and cemented by Herrera, and the center back, to his place with Giménez and that signing that has returned solidity: Reinildo. Llorente, due to casualties, will have to return to the side. Lodi can rest. Suárez makes four games that seems destined for the bank. Before Osasuna he was a starter in 17 of 24. Afterwards, in none. Strap is in doubt. Simeone gives the list today. With a blow it could be, although better on Tuesday (top scorer, 12 goals). Grizi and João will be the point of attack. Together they have played little but against United they have already shown that they can mix well.
Serge’s plans
Cádiz beat Rayo last week to breathe and break a streak of four games without a win. A triumph that makes believe; heSalvation is at hand. If against Rayo Sergio he opted for a 4-4-2, it is expected that against Atleti he will return to that system that closes ranks, the three central. Without giving up the attack, of course: Negredo, Lozano and, above all, Idrissi, revitalized after his goal and assist against Rayo. The winter signings, Fede and Alcaraz, have given Cádiz another air. His face is another. More like last year, when they achieved permanence. The same happens to Atleti, which is once again Atleti del Cholo. And that will try to confirm one and the other, Sergio and Simeone, today on the grass.