Simeone He is aiming for a victory in his 700th match on the bench, an afternoon where failure is prohibited. Atlético receives Alavés with the obligation to score three points and not repeat triggers like the one suffered against Espanyol on the third day and which cost points now largely missed. He gloriousHowever, it will not be a simple rival and last year he pushed the rojiblancos to the limit in the Metropolitan. Llorente returns, who goes straight into the starting lineup to replace the injured Nahuel Molina.
For Simeone, it is obvious that this is not just another game. Even if he is not gifted for grandiloquence, he is the first to realize the stratospheric record he has reached, a record which maybe no one else will ever achieve it in red and white iconography. “I feel very lucky,” the Argentinian said yesterday at a press conference during which he thanked “everyone who helped me get here.”
However, beyond the romanticism, the truth is that what is at stake is a spoil that Atlético cannot miss. A draw or a defeat would be a tragedy for a team that has long exhausted its margin for error. The numbers are in their favor as in the Vitorians’ previous 13 visits there have been only two draws and one victory for the visitors. The rest have been domestic victories, the last six in a row, although last year it was a borderline 2-1. Those of Garcia Square they wear four defeats in their last five matches, but it is advisable to keep the antenna on alert for what might happen.
El Cholo will save effort before the next Champions League match in Prague next Tuesday. The South American internationals will start on the bench and a few other starters may also be rested. The Griezmann-Correa couple is the one who appeared the most in attack during weekly training, while in midfield everything indicates that Riquelme will have another chance. The one who remains in the eleven, on the other hand, is Pablo Barriosat the top of the wave after his recent debut with the senior team.
📋 Our call for this Saturday! pic.twitter.com/B2NfHAC9iG
– Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) November 22, 2024
The refereeing couple has reason to tremble. In the Catalan countryside Garcia Verdura during his second season in the First Division, and in VAR the relegated Figueroa Vazqueza referee of sad memory for Atlético and who should not do too much damage from the VOR room. García Verdura has only managed one match for Atlético this season in Vigo against Celta, while it will be the sixth time that they will meet Alavés, with a record of one victory, two draws and two defeats.
Probable compositions
Athletic: Oblak, Llorente, Azpilicueta, Witsel, Lenglet, Galán, Pablo Barrios, Koke, Riquelme, Correa and Griezmann.
Alavés: Sivera, Tenaglia, Abqar, Pica, Manu Sánchez, Blanco, Guevara, Guridi, Carlos Vicente, Abde and Kike García.
Referees: Muñiz Ruiz (field) and Figueroa Vázquez (VAR).
Stadium: Metropolitan, 4:15 p.m.
