Atlético does not want to stop its escalation against Rayo
The rojiblancos have a string of three wins in a row in the League and want to opt for second place, against a Rayo team that hasn’t beaten Atleti since 2013
MADRID, 17 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Atlético de Madrid hosts Rayo Vallecano this Tuesday (9:00 p.m.) on matchday ten of LaLiga Santander, a duel in which the rojiblancos will seek to prolong their good league streak and continue their rise in the table to oppose second place with a win, against a red-and-red team that is much weaker at home.
‘Cholo’ Simeone’s team achieved a hard-fought victory this Saturday (0-1) in a complicated field like San Mamés, recovering in a certain way the character of recent years, intermittent at the beginning of the course. The victory, thanks to Antoine Griezmann’s goal as soon as the second half began, allowed the team from the capital to rise to third place in the table and continue to recover the ground lost due to the irregularity in the domestic championship in previous days.
Simeone saw improvement in San Mamés in terms of intensity and effort, one of the pending issues at this start and that has cost him vital points. The rojiblancos curdled one of their best versions just at the right moment and against one of the most fit rivals in the championship. And it is that ‘Atleti’ depends a lot on the sensations on the pitch and his ability to constantly suffer and adapt, an attitude that was seen in San Mamés.
The objective will be to maintain the energy and dynamics or suffer a slowdown that could be decisive in a key week. And it is that, after receiving Rayo, the rojiblancos will visit Betis, now fourth also with 19 points, and will play a key duel to maintain hopes of the knockout stages of the Champions League against Bayer Leverkusen at the Metropolitano. Thus, a victory would increase the joy and confidence of the people of Madrid, aware of the moment of the season in which they are immersed.
And in San Mamés the Portuguese Joao Félix was once again a substitute, whose situation has already become the great schism at Atlético de Madrid. The forward has chained five substitutions and now he does not have the confidence of Simeone, who made it clear at a press conference that there are other players in better shape. In addition, to continue with his misfortune, the Portuguese ended the match in San Mamés with a strong blow and is doubtful to receive Rayo.
Captain Koke Resurrection will be out for sure and it also remains to be seen if Jan Oblak will defend the red and white goal, after he was substituted against Athletic due to a concussion. However, the Croatian Ivo Grbic seems to be a replacement of guarantees, after carrying out interventions of merit against the ‘lions’. Likewise, the duel against the ‘red-and-red’ team this Tuesday could be the ideal one to carry out some rotations and distribute minutes before a key stretch for achieving the objectives.
The defense, made up of Molina, Savic, Giménez and Reinildo, finally with the expected performance, seems non-negotiable at the moment for Simeone, so doubts appear in the center of the field. Axel Witsel could return to the eleven as Koke’s replacement, as could Rodrigo de Paul, while Ángel Correa and Saúl Ñíguez could be other options. Above, with Griezmann inspired, Álvaro Morata is fighting for a position with the Brazilian Matheus Cunha.
Opposite will be a Rayo Vallecano that has not beaten Atlético since 2013 and in a small valley of results and somewhat downcast. Andoni Iraola’s men arrive at the Metropolitano after drawing 0-0 in the Madrid derby against Getafe, their second consecutive match without winning, after the defeat (3-1) against Almería.
However, they still have the peace of mind that comes from the middle of the table, since they are tenth with 11 units, thanks also to their wins against Elche (2-1) and Valencia (2-1) that support the people of Madrid in recent weeks.
With more desire than football, Rayo does not finish convincing and lives in a moment of doubts, which could be left behind with a victory in the rojiblanco fiefdom. This would give wings to the redheads, who still have to play against Cádiz, Real Madrid, Sevilla and Celta before the World Cup.
Still without being able to count on Raúl de Tomás, Iraola will have the loss of Óscar Trejo, and among the possible rotations could be the ownership of Radamel Falcao, who would play in front of a crowd that idolizes him. If not, a rojiblanco youth squad would play, Sergio Camello.
MADRID ATHLETIC: Grbic; Molina, Savic, Gimenez, Reinildo; Strap, Witsel, Kondogbia, Saul; Morata and Griezmann.
VALLEYAN LIGHTNING: Dimitrievski; Balliu, Catena, Lejeune, Fran Garcia; Comess, Ciss, Unai Lopez; Isi Palace, Falcao and Salvi.
–REFEREE: Iglesias Villanueva (C.Gallego).
–STADIUM: Cívitas Metropolitano.
–TIME: 9:00 p.m./Movistar LaLiga.
