Winning is an obligation – AS.com

Atlético shines in LaLiga. The rojiblancos finally knocked down Barça, which they have left very touched. In that long-distance race, Atlético walks with a firm, powerful step, without losing or even conceding goals. Oblivious to the debate on whether it is a candidate for the title, the team scores points day after day. But now The Champions League arrives, where Atlético cannot fail (follow the game live on AS.com). There is no time to make amends for a mistake. The Lokomotiv he visits the Wanda Metropolitano and is inferior, but the Madrid team sometimes chokes on games where it is a clear favorite. In MoscowThree weeks ago, it was 1-1. Atlético was much better, dominated and had many chances. He just missed the auction.

The situation before this meeting is clear. If Atlético win, they will have many options to continue in the competition. Otherwise it will be very complicated. Both teams are separated by two points that will be five if the rojiblancos win. A lot of distance with only two games to go. Madrilenians know their stakes. Sports and economic survival of an entity in need of money from the Champions League. Going to the second round will be a good injection for a club that has suffered, like everyone else, the impact of the crisis due to the pandemic.

Simeone will retouch the athletic eleven

The Cholo has casualties: Luis Suárez, Torreira, Herrera, Kondogbia, Vrsaljko, Manu Sánchez ... But the staff is wide and with quality. And nobody wants to give a minute to the other. Carrasco took advantage of his ownership, belt keep giving assists, Llorente Does not yield, João Felix He can unblock any match in one play … We'll see if Cholo bets on all of them or refreshment people enter: Diego Costa, Lemar, Vitolo … In the previous one, João Félix did alternative work, his contest determines the eleven and it would not be unusual for him to start from the bench. If so, Costa would be the starter. Valencia awaits Saturday.

The precedents favor the rojiblancos: 2-0 last season and 3-0 in 2017-18. Precisely Atleti's greatest enemy can be Atleti himself if he does not come out mentally from the first minute that he is only worth winning. The Lokomotiv comes with lambskin. But in Moscow he was far outmatched and he endured. Warned are the Cholo. They are better, yes. But that does not ensure victory.