MADRID, 29 Jul. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Atlético de Madrid will have this Saturday (1:45 p.m.) their first level friendly of the preseason when they face English Manchester United at the Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo, a team still owned by Cristiano Ronaldo, whose name seems to lose strength to join the rojiblanco team .
“I repeat, for the journalists, with this incorporation our sports management manages to fit the last piece we were looking for,” said Enrique Cerezo this Friday before the possibility that the Madeira player ends up being a ‘mattress player’.
In addition to that drop in the levels of curiosity to see the ex-Madridista in the neighboring team, the clash will not serve to see Cristiano measure himself against Atlético, absent in the English team’s call. While the Portuguese continues to solve his future, the duel between Atlético and Manchester United continues to have many attractions, especially for those of Diego Pablo Simeone, with less competitive rhythm than his rival who faces this new campaign with enthusiasm even though he may lose his scorer .
The Madrid team debuted this summer last Wednesday with a first friendly against the modest Numancia, whom they thrashed 0-4 supported by the strategy and without apparent problems, and which helped ‘Cholo’ to see the performance of his squad after two intense weeks of physical preparation.
The match marked the debut of one of the signings for this campaign, that of the Belgian midfielder, Axel Witsel, who left in the second half, and in this match against the triple European champion it could be the turn of what seems to be the last reinforcement for the ‘Cholo’, the Argentine Nahuel Molina, the long-awaited new right-back, who entered the call.
Portuguese striker Joao Felix, who missed the first friendly, will also be at Ullevaal, while defenders Felipe, who also did not play in Burgo de Osma, and Mario Hermoso, who was injured against Numancia, will also be absent.
Atlético de Madrid will have a tougher test as they will face not only a rival of a much higher level but they have also received a reinforcement in their illusion with the arrival on the bench of the Dutchman Erik ten Hag.
The former Ajax coach has made his philosophy quickly penetrate the ranks of the ‘Red Devils’, with an offensive style and with the ball as the protagonist that has shone in this preseason where he has already accumulated four games, with three wins, including a convincing 4-0 to Liverpool, and a draw, in their last duel against Aston Villa.
United, which will begin its journey in the Premier League next week, will try to remain undefeated and take a small ‘revenge’ of the elimination suffered against the rojiblancos last season in the round of 16 of the 2021-2022 Champions League .
