The
Atlético de Madrid
receive the Lokomotiv at Metropolitan (21 hours) with the obligation to win so as not to further complicate the classification for the round of 16 of the Champions. The rojiblanco team must park the league euphoria after the victory against Barcelona and the bells of favoritism that sound from other places and put on the overalls to Europe. Because a stumble could put the mattress workers against the ropes and have to beat Bayern Y Salzburg. The Spaniards add four points, the Russians two and the Austrians one. The Germans, with nine, “don't count.”
Simeone again has a large list of casualties: Suarez Y Torreira by coronavirus. Vrsaljko, Herrera Y Manu Sanchez due to injury. Y Kondogbia for not being registered for the group stage. And if it was not enough, Joao Felix Y Beautiful they did not train with the group yesterday. They carried out alternative work, although they entered the call.
The Portuguese determines the eleven of the Cholo. He is there to play, but the coach could reserve him to avoid a muscle injury that will put him out of action for several weeks. Mario Hermoso was also on the sidelines.
In goal (Oblak) and in defense (Trippier, Savic, Giménez and Lodi) no doubts. Saul Y Koke will return to carry the handle on the double pivot, with Llorente Y Carrasco by the bands. And up, belt Y Diego
Coast, who will play his first game of Champions in the current season after reappearing on Saturday against the Barcelona. Lemar has options to sneak into the eleven to give rest to another footballer in view of the loaded calendar in which the Athletic, which on Saturday, at 4.15 pm, will play in Mestalla before him Valencia.
To the Cholo, the body asks him to rotate (how little he can, due to the many casualties), but not to win at Lokomotiv it could prove fatal for the mattress interests in the maximum continental competition.
For his part, Lokomotiv He is looking forward to Madrid after stopping Atlético in Moscow a few weeks ago. The Russians add two points, two less than the Spanish, and Marko nikolic intends to propose a closed match, leaving no space for the rojiblancos, and seek the counter, with Ze Luis. Of course, the Serbian coach will have the loss of his top scorer in the league, Smolov, who stayed home due to injury.
Pressure for Athletic, forced to win to take a giant step towards the eighth if the Bayern comply with the script and defeat the Salzburg. Failure to do so could lead to Simeone in a mess. The eighth train passes through the Metropolitan.