A month of setbacks

The suspension of Atlético-Athletic causes a change in Simeone's plans, who has seen their planning affected. This fact represents another setback in a month that has been difficult for the rojiblanco team. On December 12, Atlético fell in the derby against Real Madrid, in a match that was the only red-and-white defeat in the league championship. It was the only blur for a team that then won their league games.

Subsequently, two events struck the hitherto idyllic situation of Atlético. Trippier was sanctioned by the English Federation with ten weeks without playing due to a betting issue. The English defender had been fixed for Simeone and played every game. A serious adversity for the Madrid team. He missed the games against Getafe and Alavés and also the Cup against Cornellà. He received the precautionary statement and will now be under the command of Cholo.

Athletic Shield / Flag

Diego Costa decided to leave Atlético after the match against Real Sociedad. The forward wielded that he had to resolve some personal issues to leave Atlético, with which he reached a termination agreement after setting the Wanda Metropolitano club a penalty in case of going to the main rivals of the rojiblanco team. Cholo was left without Costa and without a striker to compete with Luis Suárez.

2021 did not start very well, as he was eliminated from the Cup at the hands of Cornellà. For the second consecutive season, a Second B team left out the Cholo team in a competition that was highly liked by the Argentine coach. Atlético's unit B did not respond and many players did not measure up. Later Simeone made some statements in which he left his future in the air, although he immediately said that he is very happy in the Madrid entity. Cholo is in dialogue with the club to renew the contract that ends in 2022 for two more years.

Although not everything will be negative for the rojiblanco team. Atlético has three games postponed, the first of them this Tuesday against Sevilla (9:30 pm), although the weather conditions will have to be seen. The evolution of the storm will dictate whether the match can be played. The calendar will give Atlético a break, although then there will hardly be time for rest.

Atlético hurries the recovery of some of their injured. So, Herrera, who has not played since December 12 in the match against Real Madrid, enters the final stretch of his injury. For what will come later, the maximum number of available players will be essential for Simeone. The Mexican had entered Cholo's plans, but the injury has once again separated him from the team.

João Félix finished against Cornellà with ankle problems, the same as Giménez, who had to retire at minute 10 of the game. On Friday, in the previous match against Athletic, they did not train, although they did work in the gym. These days will help them to leave their respective discomforts behind. They are not serious injuries, although they prevented them from continuing to play the cup and For Cholo the contest of these two footballers is important.