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Luis Suárez is being one of the protagonists of the league championship. His arrival at Atlético was the signing of the summer, The Uruguayan is responding to what was expected of him and Simeone's team leads the classification. Receive one of the greats of Spanish football, a Valencia come to less and that appears in positions that do not correspond to their category (follow the game live on As.com).
Luis Suárez occupied all the spotlights in the match against Eibar thanks to his double and now he will seek to repeat. The Atlético striker will leave especially motivated, since today he turns 34. It does not have the speed of yesteryear, but within the area it is still the best. Suárez will want his happiest birthday: rojiblanca victory if possible with a goal of his. Another nine Atlético players have already scored celebrating their birthday and the Uruguayan can expand that list.
Atlético win, although against Eibar they did not play well and did not find the fluidity they have had in many games this season. The Cholo would do badly to trust themselves. In the clash of the first round, Valencia kept Atlético at bay and it had to be Lato who marked his own door. It is true that Oblak was one more spectator but the Valencian team closed all avenues of penetration to Atlético. Another data for visitor optimism: last season a goal was tied, with Costa and Parejo (neither of them already) as scorers. Atlético went over their rival, was confident and was about to lose a match they had won. The hierarchy has these things and Valencia is not just any team. Simeone knows it.
The Argentine coach recovers Koke, whom the Madrid team missed in Ipurua. Héctor Herrera is also back and Hermoso trained with the group and it remains to be seen if he will be available for the match. It will continue without Trippier and we will see if João Félix continues on the bench. He has been in three league games starting as a substitute. Simeone could do some rotation, although after playing this game the rojiblancos will have more than a week without playing.
Valencia will trust everything up to Maxi Gómez, a very high profile Atlético player. Next to him the doubt is Gameiro or Manu Vallejo, who rested before Osasuna. Javi Gracia's team was in a very positive line, but the draw against Osasuna woke him up from sleep. Valencia have reasons for hope and concern. He has not lost for five games (counting the two in the Cup), but he has signed his worst first league round since 1983, which sows many doubts about its immediate future. It will be difficult for a leader who knows that he is facing a historic year and does not want to loosen. And in the Metropolitan Wanda he feels even stronger.