Sports Mole previews Saturday’s La Liga clash between Atletico Madrid and Girona, including predictions, team news and possible line-ups.
Atletico Madrid will look to bounce back from a monotonous midweek Champions League defeat as they welcome back newly promoted Girona to the Civitas Metropolitano on Saturday.
simeonedropped bottom of their Champions League group after a 2-0 loss to Club Brugge, while the visitors were involved in a thrilling 5-3 loss to Real Sociedad last weekend.
match preview
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It appears to be a case of one step forward, two steps back for Atletico Madrid at the moment, as Los Colchoneros suffered a surprising setback in Belgium on Tuesday, which saw Charles HoefkensClub Bruges de Brugge achieved nine points out of nine in Group B.
That forceful attacking display came just three days after an incisive 2-0 win at Seville, highlighting a worrying consistency issue in front of goal as they failed to score in Belgium despite generating 2.24 expected goals.
Alvaro Morata squandered a golden opportunity early on, before Antoine Griezmann he crashed a penalty into the crossbar, in a mistake that summed up his night in Flanders.
Coupled with an equally worrying 2-0 loss to Bayer Leverkusen three weeks ago, the side face a three-way fight to qualify for the round of 16, with some questioning Simeone’s tactics after his last uninspiring loss. .
At the national level, although things have not been so alarming, having risen to fifth place with that victory in Seville, the capital club have lost two of their three home games so far this season, with Villarreal and Real Madrid taking the three points. .
Atlético lost at home to both Levante and Mallorca last season, so they’ll need to be on the lookout for a visit from an intrepid newly promoted side.
Although the visitors finally lost in LaLiga last weekend, MichelThe team won many admirers after an electric 5-3 match in Montilivi.
Going toe-to-toe with a powerfully impressive and passing-savvy Real Sociedad, Blanquivermells played some impressive football, as wing-backs and boisterous, creative midfielders shone in an expansive 5-3-2 system.
What Valentin Castellanos He scored his second goal in LaLiga in the absence of Girona’s all-time top scorer christian stuaniit was rodrigo riquelmeThe goal of the season contender who stole the headlines, while the 22-year-old Martin Zubimendi before firing an unstoppable forward into the top left corner.
However, despite all the positives, the team sit just three points from the initial relegation standings, so they will be looking to add to Atletico Madrid’s frustrations this weekend.
Atletico Madrid LaLiga form:
State of form of Atlético de Madrid (all competitions):
State of form in Girona LaLiga:
team news
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After the expected return of the central partners Jose Maria Gimenez Y Stefan Savić in Seville, the substitution of the first at half-time against Bruges was worrying.
The Uruguayan has posted images of him training on social networks, so he could be online to continue in the starting eleven, especially in the absence of philipwho has suffered a muscle injury in training.
Elsewhere, Mark LlorenteThe 33-minute substitution was a bitter disappointment, given his excellent performance in a more advanced role last weekend. He will be out for three to four weeks, with his place in Luis EnriqueThe World Cup team is now in doubt.
Thomas Lemar took over the bench at Bruges after his injury, so this time he can be given a starting role, while Sergio Reguilon still not ready after surgery.
For the visitors, Real Madrid on loan reinier will be out for about a month with a torn hamstring, while the central David Lopez he will miss with an Achilles tendon injury.
Rodrigo Riquelme, on loan from Atletico Madrid, will be allowed to play against his parent club as a “fear clause” was not included in the deal.
Possible starting XI of Atlético de Madrid:
Oblak; Reinildo, Gimenez, Savic, Molina; Lemar, Koke, Witsel, Correa; Felix, Moorish
Possible starting eleven of Girona:
Juan Carlos; Gutierrez, Juanpe, Bernardo, Bueno, Arnau; Romeu, Garica, Riquelme; Castellanos, Stuani
We say: Atlético de Madrid 3-2 Girona
With a porous Atletico Madrid as favorites here, against a fearless Girona side, expect to see goals at both ends in what promises to be another exciting tie.
However, the quality of the home team should ultimately shine as they aim to make up for their midweek loss.
For data analysis of the most probable results, scores and more for this match, click here.
Better advice
Our expert betting partners at Sporita.com are predicting under 3.5 goals in this match. Click here to find out what else they’re predicting for this game and for more of their tried and tested soccer tips.Less than 3.5:data