Atlético parks its cup high against Valencia
The colchoneros entrust themselves again to the Metropolitano so as not to give up any more ground in the League
MADRID, 27 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Atlético de Madrid will host Valencia CF this Sunday (9:00 p.m.) in a match corresponding to matchday 22, with the calendar in abuzz for the colchoneros due to their good image in the Copa del Rey, which is mixed with their pursuit of the leadership of LaLiga EA Sports while fighting for that goal with FC Barcelona and Athletic Club.
The Cívitas Metropolitano will reopen its doors in a January of constant hustle and bustle, as Diego Pablo Simeone's pupils move on from the cup rounds and thus season their league commitments. After eliminating Real Madrid in the round of 16 and then Sevilla FC in the quarterfinals, the 'Cholo' team will now deal with another renowned rival on a good streak.
After an exciting start to the 2023/24 season, trusting to the young people in its squad, Valencia had a sudden downturn in which its coach, Rubén Baraja, remained calm despite the turbulence. And from Christmas onwards, the 'che' team has regained the positive path, with five victories in its last six games between the League and the Copa del Rey.
However, in the other duel of that series they conceded 1-3 against RC Celta at Mestalla and meant their elimination in the round of 16 of the Cup. That is why Baraja is cautious, knowing that it is extremely difficult to get a break from the Metropolitano and that he has several players in the infirmary.
Sergi Canós injured the back of his left thigh during the previous League match, and Thierry Rendall also received a blow in a recent training session. To make matters worse, the Moroccan midfielder Selim Amallah is still playing with his team in the Africa Cup and André Almeida has been injured since October 1, with no return date yet.
DEPARTURES AND ARRIVALS
On the Colchonero side, Thomas Lemar remains unheard of this season due to his rupture of his right Achilles tendon, which curiously occurred against Valencia in the first round. César Azpilicueta is also confirmed absent, due to the tear of the external meniscus that he suffered in the Cup against Real Madrid, and Caglar Söyüncü finalizes his landing at Fenerbahçe.
In this winter transfer market, Atlético is negotiating in both directions. Söyüncü's imminent goodbye will be added to Javi Galán's departure for Real Sociedad, a team with which he has already made his debut; and we look carefully at what Ángel Correa decides on the exit ramp.
On the other hand, Simeone's squad has reinforced its core line with Belgian international Arthur Vermeeren, Royal Antwerp's young pearl. The arrival of a '5' has been a request from the red and white coach for months, after the frustrated incorporation of the Danish Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Tottenham Hotspur) in the last summer window.
With these wickers, Atleti will want to shine again in the warmth of their fans, because at home is where they have instilled fear in their opponents. It is the poor results away from the Metropolitano, especially in the last month and a half, that have reduced his candidacy for the League title. Thus, 'Cholo' have accumulated 41 points from their fourth position and are nine ahead of Valencia, which is provisionally seventh.
DATASHEET.
–POSIBLE ALIGNMENTS:
ATLÉTICO DE MADRID: Oblak; Molina, Savic, Witsel, Hermoso, Riquelme; Barrios, Koke, De Paul; Griezmann and Morata.
VALENCIA: Mamardashvili; Foulquier, Mosquera, Gabriel, Gayà; Guillamón, Javi Guerra, Pepelu; Fran Pérez, Diego López and Hugo Duro.
–REFEREE: De Burgos Bengoetxea (C. Vasco).
–STADIUM: Cívitas Metropolitano.