“Against everything and everyone, go ahead champion.” Atlético's players trained on Friday before a banner put up by fans that read this message. Simeone's team has lost steam in the second round, but there is still time for everything, and it will be bad if he only focuses on what happens outside. Nine finals left and the team needs to regain the path of triumphs, beyond disastrous arbitrations, such as the last one with Gil Manzano (follow the game live on AS.com). Nine endings with everything to decide and the first before a Betis that fights for Europe, in conflict with Real Sociedad and Villarreal. A match, then, between two good teams, with notable footballers and two historical coaches of the League.
Atlético comes with many casualties: Suárez, Kondogbia, Llorente and Dembélé. The cholo recovers João Félix, who must assume gallons in this final stretch of the season. Technically it is above the rest, but it is not only worth that. Simeone needs you more involved than ever and with maximum motivation. Against Betis he will form together with Correa en punta. Also Carrasco will return, embedded in the left lane, and Savic, the head of the rojiblanca defense. Atlético must have Koke and Lemar at its best. The great novelty in the eleven will be the Mexican Herrera.
Joaquín, in Betis training.
Toni Rodriguez (AS)
Without battering rams: neither Suárez nor Iglesias
The rojiblancos need to score, after doing only a goal in the last four games (Getafe, Chelsea, Alavés and Seville). El Cholo rehearsed set pieces on Friday as one more weapon to hurt. Without scoring you cannot win and against Betis there will not be the most decisive of the team.
Betis has top-class players, the Joaquin, Canales, Fekir … footballers who dazzle with their game. The scorer Borja Iglesias and Guarded will not be there, sensitive casualties. Neither did Víctor Ruiz, by penalty. Bartra can return and in attack the doubt is between Juanmi and Loren. Betis is the fourth best of the second round and it is clearly on the rise, quite the opposite of Atlético, which is only worth winning. But none of that will do when the ball gets rolling. Simeone's men are in a similar situation to when they won the League 13-14. But you must take out your champion character or the title will start to slip away.