Salzburg leads the way – AS.com

Atlético faces its first big week of the season. First they face Salzburg, with continuity in the Champions at stake, and on Saturday against Real Madrid, where Simeone's men can take a giant step for the title. But Salzburg will mark the path of Atlético this season, as the goal of the rojiblanco club is to overcome the group stage and play the eighth of this competition (follow the game live on As.com). The Madrid team grows when the qualifying rounds arrive and they break down against rivals with pedigree. But first he must pass a tough test against Salzburg, who can make history if they beat Atlético, as it would be the first time they have reached the second round.

Those of Simeone They are unstoppable in LaLiga (eight wins and two draws) but they have complicated their pass in the Champions League, since they were not able to win any game against Lokomotiv. They were far superior to the Russian team and even to Bayern in the Wanda Metropolitano, but they could only tie these three games. Those matched meant that they still do not have the classification in their pocket.

The crash will be decisive for the development of this season and not only in sports. It is not the same to play the Champions League than the Europa League. The Koke, João Félix, Luis Suárez, Marcos Llorente and company dream of going far this year in the Champions League. On an economic level, the party also has its importance. Continuing in this competition could mean Atlético's income of around 20 million euros.

Simeone recovers Carrasco, who could be a starter, for the match. Cholo has the option of continuing with the three centrals (Savic, Felipe and Hermoso), with Trippier and the Belgian as lanes. In the middle, Koke is fixed and the logical thing is that Marcos Llorente, shot to the right, and Saúl, more to the left, with João Félix and Luis Suárez in the lead. If the Uruguayan was not physically well, Correa could enter. The game played in the rojiblanco fiefdom ended 3-2, in a clash that the Madrid team won in the final minutes.

Salzburg have the advantage of knowing that they have nothing to lose, since they are not obliged to continue. And that makes it even more dangerous and unpredictable. Many eyes will be on Szoboszlai, one of the players with the most future in Europe and who Real Madrid wants. Berisha, who has five goals in the Champions League, will play at the top. It will be the main offensive reference of a team that plays on the attack, although that costs him to concede fewer goals.

Atleti is worth a draw, the rojiblancos are doing well and Oblak barely concedes goals. But do not trust. If the team plays as it knows, it will return to Madrid with duty accomplished.