Diego Simeone has to collect his Atletico Madrid team for their crunch weekend -collision with Barcelona.
Los Rojiblancos saw their UEFA Champions League dream end in controversial style in midweek through a loss of penalty shootout for Real Madrid.
Despite the continuous fall -out about the 'Double Touch' penalty of Julian Alvarez, Simeone has little choice than to drag his team forward to keep their domestic challenge alive.
Real Madrid goes to Villarreal on Saturday, with Simeone organized leaders Barcelona the next day, and the title gap can be four points before he starts in Madrid.
Barcelona and Real Madrid are currently at the top at 57 points with Atletico Madrid one point in the back in third place.
However, a negative result against the Hansi Flick team saw the charges of Simeone unravel, on the back of an exhausting fight against Carlo Ancelotti.
Simeone has adjusted the training plan prior to Barcelona, to maximize the peace, and his players only have one full training session between games.
Club captain Koke fights to start on time to start and he may need to be in the middle of concern about Rodrigo de Paul.
The Argentinia International has had a thigh problem in recent weeks and he has not completed 90 minutes in the last three games.
He was withdrawn just for extra time against Real Madrid, because the issue became too much for him to continue.
According to reports from Diario AS, Atletico Madrid does every effort to keep him in the settlement for Sunday, but his chances are assessed at 50-50.
Koke continues to train separately as part of his recovery, and neither players will be 100% fit, but the preference of Simeone is to risk the Paul and stop the first.
His injury will be assessed next week prior to a possible withdrawal from international service with Argentina for their FIFA World Cup qualifying match in 2026 against Uruguay and Brazil.
Comments