Atlético seeks to recover self-esteem

Atlético seeks to recover self-esteem

Simeone's men, after their new European defeat, hope to sign their second consecutive league win against Girona

MADRID, 7 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) -

Atlético de Madrid is looking to raise its head this Saturday at the Cívitas Metropolitano against Girona (4:15 p.m./Movistar LaLiga) after its new European setback, a LaLiga Santander match in which Diego Pablo Simeone's men want to return the illusion to their fans, put an end to his irregular streak of results and stay in continental positions.

The 2-0 conceded at the Jan Breydel restored doubts to a team that seemed to have redirected their path with a solid victory at the Sánchez-Pizjuán (0-2). "We must generate enthusiasm and hope on the field, and this Saturday we have an opportunity to play at home and in front of our people, whom we need," warned 'Cholo'.

In 'Champions', the team managed to give their fans a win, but after beating Porto they fell to Bayer Leverkusen and Bruges, two results that put their continuity in Europe at risk. In LaLiga, the team records its worst numbers after the first seven days in four years: four wins, one draw and two losses.

The setback in Belgium marked their third defeat in the last four matches, with the win against Sevilla -after their defeat in the Madrid derby (1-2)- as the only relief. Even so, it occupies the fifth position in the table with 13 units, the same as the 'aspirant' Real Sociedad, two from the 'Champions zone' and six from the leader FC Barcelona.

For this reason, panic has not yet taken hold of the team, although there is concern, so a second consecutive league victory could help clear up any doubts, especially when facing a newly promoted player who is more 'affordable' away from Montilivi, but that he will be daring faithful to what his technician has.

Marcos Llorente and Felipe, both with muscle injuries in the thigh, joined the mattress infirmary these days, where Sergio Reguilón is also located. The Uruguayan José María Giménez, who had to be substituted against Club Brugge due to minor discomfort, will have no problem playing and will form central defense alongside Stefan Savic, with Nahuel Molina and Reinildo on the wings.

The main question will be who will occupy Llorente's position, for which Simeone could bet on bringing in Ángel Correa or Antoine Griezmann -already freed from the threat of the 40 million purchase option after an agreement between the rojiblancos and Barça- or even change the scheme to align the Portuguese Joao Félix, substitute against Seville and Bruges. Above, Álvaro Morata, the only colchonero player who has scored in more than one Atlético league win this season, would lead the local danger along with the Brazilian Matheus Cunha.

Opposite, the rojiblancos will meet a Girona against whom they have not lost any of the four LaLiga Santander games played between them so far -one win and three draws- and that has lost in their last eight away games in the competition domestic.

Míchel's men are thirteenth with seven points, three above the relegation zone and six from the European zone, but their progress has slowed in recent weeks after the defeats conceded against Real Betis (2-1) and Real Sociedad ( 3-5), a duel in which the Catalans came to take the lead on two occasions and that escaped them in a bad second half.

"The other day against Real Sociedad I didn't really like the aggressiveness without the ball. The team reached the rival goal many times, but we lacked aggressiveness. We are not this team. Tomorrow we need it more than ever and show our personality, which is very necessary in the Cívitas Metropolitano", pointed out the coach of the 'gironins'.

Regaining defensive solidity will be another of the team's objectives at the Cívitas Metropolitano, where the injured Ibrahima Kebé, Reinier Jesús and Borja García will not be present and David López and Samuel Sáiz are doubtful.

Yes, men like Yangel Herrera will be available, who will return to the core, Ramón Terrats, Christian Stuani and Óscar Ureña, and also the midfielder 'Roro' Riquelme, on loan from Atlético de Madrid and who will try to show off before his teammates preseason after his great goal against Real Sociedad.

MADRID ATHLETIC: Oblak; Molina, Savic, Gimenez, Reinildo; Coke, Witsel, Saul; Belt, Wedge and Morata.

GIRONA: Juan Carlos; Arnau, Bueno, Bernardo, Juanpe, Miguel; Romeu, Herrera, Aleix García, Riquelme; and Castilians.

--REFEREE: Martinez Munuera (C.Valenciano).

--STADIUM: Cívitas Metropolitano.

--TIME: 16.15/Movistar LaLiga.