Atlético wants to turn the page in Cádiz
Those of Simeone, after the elimination of ‘Champions’, want to secure third place against a rival in decline
MADRID, 28 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Atlético de Madrid is looking this Saturday at the Nuevo Mirandilla (4:15 p.m./DAZN) to turn the page on its dramatic elimination in the Champions League and maintain its good course in LaLiga Santander, where it will defend its third place against a Cádiz team that needs to add to leave relegation positions.
Once again, fortune eluded the mattress team last Wednesday in the highest European competition, where the team brushed against glory before falling once again into the abyss. After Porto’s victory in Bruges (0-4), Diego Pablo Simeone’s men were doomed to win to stay alive, but they missed the last and decisive opportunity.
Rodrigo de Paul, in the 50th minute, leveled the match to put a 2-2 against Bayer Leverkusen that returned the illusion to the Metropolitano, who jumped excited when, after the final whistle, the referee pointed to the penalty spot after reviewing the last played in the VAR. Yannick Carrasco was placed in the eleven meters, but the goalkeeper of the German team guessed his shot and Saúl crashed the ball into the crossbar in the rebound.
Thus, the rojiblancos will have to fight next Tuesday at O Dragao for the minor prize, the Europa League, although first they must endorse their good progress in the domestic competition, where they are third with 23 points, eight behind the leader Real Madrid and with three of advantage over fifth-placed Real Betis.
The victory precisely against the Verdiblancos (1-2) last weekend, the fourth in the last five days – only ‘stained’ by the tie at home against Rayo Vallecano (1-1) -, has given some air to those of ‘Cholo’, who despite the dramatic events of this week continues to trust his own.
“A great Spanish writer said that he did not care what they thought of him and I think exactly the same, I know what I give and how I give myself. This does not end today,” he said at a press conference. “The people of a big club like this do not allow themselves to lower their arms, I have not seen it in my long years here. There are always difficult moments in a season, but I am clear about what I want, I know what I am looking for,” he warned.
With the sure losses of Koke and Thomas Lemar and the doubts of the recovered Marcos Llorente and Sergio Reguilón, Simeone could bet on the eleven he formed against the Germans, with the probable return of Stefan Savic to the center of defense to the detriment of Mario Hermoso and with Saúl Ñíguez taking Carrasco’s place. Above, nobody seems to be able to replace Antoine Griezmann and Álvaro Morata.
For its part, Cádiz is eager for a victory, which it has never achieved in its history against Atlético de Madrid, which will allow it to leave the relegation places. After scoring points in five consecutive games -a win against Real Valladolid and four draws against Villarreal, Espanyol, Girona and Betis-, Sergio González’s men interrupted their streak last Saturday by falling resoundingly against Rayo (5-1).
The yellow team is penultimate in the table with seven units, three from the safety zone, after having won only once so far in the championship, and the outlook is not very encouraging: after receiving the red and white team, the Cadistas travel to Getafe and the Santiago Bernabéu before the break for the World Cup.
In addition, they will face Simeone’s men with Iza Carcelén and Rubén Alcaraz missing through suspension, expelled in Vallecas, and with those of the injured Jon Ander Garrido and Joseba Zaldua, although they recover David Gil, Iván Alejo and Momo Mbaye .
DATASHEET.
–POSSIBLE ALIGNMENTS.
CADIZ: Ledesma; Luis Hernandez, Momo, Chust, Espino; Alex Fernandez, Fali, San Emeterio, Ocampo; Negredo and Nephew.
ATLETICO DE MADRID: Oblak; Molina, Savic, Giménez, Reinildo; Correa, Witsel, Kondogbia, Saul; Morata and Griezmann.
–REFEREE: Sánchez Martínez (C.Murciano).
–STADIUM: New Mirandilla.