Under the anticyclonic morning in Madrid, a ray of light for Cholo Simeone. Or two, rather. Because, while their internationals continue to be scattered around the world and the ‘intimate’ training sessions take place at Cerro, just Vrsaljko, Felipe, Kondogbia and Hermoso, this morning the Argentine coach has recovered two more troops. And two that the team have sorely missed in his absence: Thomas Lemar and Marcos Llorente. If yesterday they both exercised with the ball and intensity apart from the others in Majadahonda, today they were already doing it with the group. He looks at her, clear, direct: to the game next Saturday against Osasuna, 18:30, at the Metropolitano. The rojiblancos need to win.
Because Lemar is missing from the game against Real Sociedad, October 24, in which he played 45 minutes and suffered a muscle injury (the second this season) in the right thigh, and Atlético, in his absence, has only won one game, against Betis. The rest, two draws (Levante and Valencia) and one defeat (Liverpool). A black month in which Cholo has longed for what the Frenchman brings to the team. Because Lemar’s influence has grown exponentially in the last two seasons, in that indoor position that allows him to exploit his virtues and appears on all sides of the attack front. The onces of Cholo when he is available already seem non-negotiable: Lemar and ten more. This morning, to the happiness of Cholo, he was one more in the group, that group reduced by the trips of the internationals this break, but one more. Available.
Like Llorente. In the same situation. The red and white infirmary is emptied in which only Trippier (grade III sprain in the left shoulder after a fall in Mestalla) and Saponjic (muscular) remain. His discharge, in addition, is important for Cholo in order to make up for the lack of English and occupy the right lane in the eleven of Atlético. His speed, physicality and explosiveness are his great virtues. Ride the team on ‘the bike’ when he plays. The Atleti notices it. Forcing to be able to play against Liverpool in the third day of the group stage of this Champions League condemned him. Relapsed from his muscle injury. He has missed one more game than Lemar, with the same drama. Only one victory, three draws (Real Sociedad added to two free-kick matches by the French) and one defeat (Anfield). He is ready to return after this break.