Vallecas tests Atlético’s solidity
Simeone’s men are looking to settle in second place against a Rayo who are aiming for their second consecutive win
MADRID, 21 Sep. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Atlético de Madrid will be hoping to maintain their unbeaten streak and stay in the top positions of LaLiga EA Sports this Sunday in Vallecas (9:00 p.m./Movistar+ LaLiga), in a sixth matchday in which Rayo will be looking to build on last weekend’s victory.
Diego Pablo Simeone’s men, who started the matchday in second place, have scored points in all their games so far. The draws in the first few matches against Villarreal (2-2) and RCD Espanyol (0-0) and the associated doubts were forgotten thanks to the victories in the last few matches against Athletic Club (0-1) and Valencia (3-0), which allowed them to gain momentum.
With 11 points, the red-and-white team is now four points behind the leader Barça, all after having conceded only two goals – both against the Castellón team – which makes it the team that has conceded the fewest goals in the category along with Real Madrid, third with the same number of points as the Colchoneros.
In the Champions League, a goal from José María Giménez on the edge of added time gave them their first win in the competition on Thursday against RB Leipzig (2-1). Now, they will try to use this energy to beat a rival they have not lost to in more than eleven years in the derby.
Since that 10th of February 2013, when the men then directed by Paco Jémez also surprised the ‘Cholo’s’ men in Vallecas, the red and whites have had 13 wins and three draws against the Rayo team. The last time they visited the Vallecas stadium, they signed a spectacular 0-7.
Neither Pablo Barrios nor Thomas Lemar, due to injury, will be available to the Argentine coach, who will be able to count on his compatriot Rodrigo de Paul despite having trained on the sidelines in the last session. The team is expected to rotate with respect to the eleven that Simeone used in the Champions League.
This could allow players like César Azpilicueta, the Brazilian Samu Lino, the Englishman Conor Gallagher and the Norwegian Alexander Sorloth to come into the squad, which could allow others like Marcos Llorente, José María Giménez or Julián Álvarez to rest.
Rayo hope to continue the improvement experienced against Osasuna (3-1), a match in which Colombian James Rodríguez made his debut and which ended a series of three games without a win. This Sunday, the franjirrojos could link two league wins at their stadium for the first time since May 2023.
The seven points earned so far keep Iñigo Pérez’s team in tenth position, three points away from the European zone and four above the relegation spots, which they have toyed with in recent matches.
Uruguayan full-back ‘Pacha’ Espino and midfielder Diego Méndez will be the only absentees from the home side this Sunday. James, Jorge de Frutos, Adrián Embarba and Isi Palazón will compete for the two places in doubt.
TECHNICAL SHEET.
–POSSIBLE LINEUPS:
RAYO VALLECANO: Battle; Ratiu, Lejeune, Mumin, Chavarria; Oscar Valentin, Unai Lopez, James Rodriguez; Embarba, Alvaro Garcia and Camello.
ATLETICO MADRID: Oblak; Molina, Le Normand, Witsel, Azpilicueta, Lino; Koke, Gallagher, De Paul; Griezmann and Sorloth.
–REFEREE: Melero López (C.Andaluz).
–STADIUM: Vallecas.
–TIME: 21.00/Movistar+ LaLiga.