The Atlético de Madrid receives this Wednesday at Athletic in the Metropolitano (19 hours) in the last extra ball that the rojiblanco team has. That is, the colchoneros are catching up in LaLiga, a competition they lead with three and five points of advantage over Real Madrid Y Barcelona. And they want to do it with a victory that puts land in between with their pursuers in the absence of 13 days before the end of the championship.
There is still a lot of cloth to cut, and after the demand that a derby always causes, a team arrives in the capital that, since the arrival of Marcelino Garcia Toral, it is fearsome. The Asturian was already in charge of Athletic when that match should have been played (Filomena prevented it), on January 9, but he had just landed and the Basques were thinking about the Super Cup. Nothing to do with the current situation. Now, they are champions of that trophy and finalists of the Copa del Rey. Lions fly.
But the leader is obliged. The victory at La Cerámica and the 70 minutes in which Simeone's men were superior in the derby have boosted Atlético again, which will have to reconnect with the triumph at the Metropolitano after three consecutive matches without success (Celta, Levante and Real Madrid, plus the loss to Chelsea at home … in Bucharest). They have not won at home since January 24, against Valencia. Long time. Too.
Diego Simeone will count with the casualties of Gimenez Y Herrera, the first injured and the second for personal reasons. The same as against Madrid, where he left Saúl and Joao Félix on the bench. The eleven will not change much for this Wednesday. Perhaps the entrance of the Portuguese by strap. And is that despite the load of the calendar, Atlético can not afford more setbacks. Barça squeezes. And Madrid is never given up for dead. The rojiblancos know that well.
In defense it will continue Trippier, whose return was thanked by Atlético in the derby. And they will also continue in the eleven Carrasco Y Lemar, brilliant until the gasoline lasted and whose departure from the pitch also ended up accusing the rojiblanco team. And of course, up will be Luis Suarez, that recovered the gunpowder before the eternal rival. He already has 17 goals in the league. And wants more. By the way, the Uruguayan is one of the five local players who are under penalty. The others are Carrasco, Joao Félix, Felipe and Kondogbia. If they see yellow today, they won't be against Getafe on Saturday.
For his part, Marcelino has the doubt Yuri. If you don't arrive on time, Balenziaga will occupy the left side. Up they will form again Iñaki Williams Y Raul Garcia. The Navarrese returns home again, in a great moment facing the door and being decisive for his team. It will be one of the great threats to the mattress box. Like Berenger, who is sweet.