In the name of the Father

This will be one of the most difficult matches of your life. The first of Cholo without his father, without Carlos Simeone, who died during this break. His son was next to him, soccer allowed him. Now everything returns, LaLiga, the Champions League, without more breaks until the end. Atlético is fourth, they are in the quarterfinals. Today he receives Alavés, the day after tomorrow he travels to Manchester again, to meet City now. And the coach will do it with the name of his father in his head, that more motivation: look at the third amphitheater in each victory and dedicate it to whoever is there (Follow today’s game live on As.com).

“He said ‘goal’ before mom”, Carlos Simeone always told to summarize his son’s passion for the ball. Now Cholo’s word is different. Now in his mouth that expression: League of 14. Atleti have played five games of this and they won all five. From Osasuna to the break. Nine remain now, fourth the rojiblancosmore and more settled there, with more firmness.

He took advantage of the Atleti to empty the infirmary (Wass, Vrsaljko, Lemar and Cunha return, in addition to Carrasco after his suspension) but it did not last long: in addition to Koke and Correa, who were suspended, Herrera will not be there, injured, and who has recently become a vital piece. With the Champions there, on Tuesday, it seems, based on their tests, that Atleti will play with a new midfield (Llorente-Kondogbia-Lemar) and reaffirmed its commitment to Lodi and Joãomann above, the couple between Félix and Griezmann.

An urgent rival

They face an Alavés with emergencies, penultimate, who risks his life, LaLiga. In the first round he already beat the rojiblancos with a goal from Laguardia that exposed all the shortcomings for many games. The tremor in the lateral centers and the stopped ball, the miracles far from Oblak’s gloves. But these have returned. And the solidity with Reinildo, Savic and Giménez. Three goals in the last seven games. 87% stops. The lock.

Alavés adds 22 points, only six outside of Vitoria. He never won at the Metropolitan. Mendilibar can recover the 4-1-4-1 with a trivote in the center, to line up Pina, Escalante and Pons. Initially or later, to give criteria, an ex will enter, Toni Moya. Before an Atleti who wants to show that he is the same as the one before the break, although Cholo is no longer, Cholo is never. Football returns with an Atleti-Alavés that a long minute of silence will precede. In the name of the Father.