Atletico Madrid will look to end 2023 on a high note when they take on Sevilla, with Diego Simeone eager to get back to winning ways.
Diego Simeone will be very concerned by his team’s form as they slipped further away from the title challenge. At one stage in midweek, they were 3-1 up against Getafe, only for late strikes from Oscar Rodriguez and Borja Mayoral allowing the visitors an entry back in the game and a share of the spoils. Atletico Madrid next take on another tricky challenge in Sevilla.
Simeone would have wanted to end that game with a win and then take another three points when they faced Sevilla in a game that was initially supposed to happen back in September. As things stand, Atletico Madrid are 10-points behind new league leaders Real Madrid, although they can close the gap to seven and end 2023 on a high note when they take on Sevilla.
There is plenty of reflection ahead for Simeone ahead of the winter break, as the Argentine tactician will undoubtedly look forward to the UEFA Champions League clash with Inter Milan upon their return to action. For now, he would want to focus entirely on the Sevilla clash and the three points up for grabs. A win would take them into third and above Barcelona on goal difference.
Sevilla fans would hope the latest managerial reign will bear consistent results to take them out of the slump. Quique Sanchez Flores kick-started his tenure with a much-needed victory over Granada. The win was also their first since the end of September, thus ending a dreadful run of results that has seen them languishing on the periphery of the relegation zone.
Sevilla’s tally of 16 points from 17 games is unacceptable for a club regularly featuring and performing in Europe, as continental football for next season remains a big dream for the fans. Their elimination from European competitions altogether also was a big blow to their ambitions, as they won the Europa League last season to play the Champions League this term.
Sanchez Flores has a big task on his hands, as he would like to see spirit from this team and an upturn in form. There is a long way to go for Sevilla this season, with the manager’s primary objective circling getting as far away as possible from the bottom three. A win to end a dreadful half-season would go a long way toward restoring their confidence. But to do so against Atletico Madrid away from home is a mean task in itself for Sevilla.
Team News & Tactics
Atletico Madrid
Diego Simeone does not have too many problems with his squad, as Thomas Lemar, Vitolo and Pablo Barrios are the only ones missing from action. Key defender Stefan Savic earned himself a suspension after his two yellows against Getafe in midweek.
Jose Maria Gimenez could replace Savic in the backline, while Axel Witsel and Mario Hermoso might keep their places in the back three. Meanwhile, Simeone could tweak his lineup and replace some key positions for this clash against Sevilla.
Rodrigo Riquelme could keep his place on the left wing, but Nahuel Molina could come in on the right side, thus allowing Marcos Llorente to move into the midfield three. Koke and Rodrigo De Paul will also keep their places, as Samuel Lino could drop down to the bench.
Antoine Griezmann’s brace and his overall importance in Simeone’s system will keep the Frenchman in the attacking setup. The manager might reinstate Alvaro Morata in a starting role at the expense of Memphis Depay, who had a performance to forget against Getafe.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Oblak; Gimenez, Witsel, Hermoso; Molina, Llorente, Koke, De Paul, Riquelme; Morata, Griezmann
Sevilla
Quique Sanchez Flores might have taken a hard look at the long list of injured first-teamers and then set up his squad based on the players available at his disposal. Sevilla have around 11 players out with injury, although the manager would have been pleased with their performance against Granada. He might now look to stick with most players from that clash.
Sanchez Flores will have Ivan Rakitic available again after the Croat served a suspension. But he is likely to name an unchanged squad. Sergio Ramos got a goal against Granada and will continue to marshall the backline, with Nemanja Gudelj and Kike Salas on either side.
Juanlu Sanchez and goalscorer Adria Pedrosa will remain in those wing-back positions. Sanchez Flores will continue with a midfield three, as Boubakary Soumare will sit at the base, while Suso, with two assists in the last game, will be on the right, and Oliver Torres will be on the left.
Up front, Flores’s idea of fielding Lucas Ocampos and Youssef En-Nesyri worked wonders as the two put in the necessary numbers to secure a victory. They will retain their places, as the manager will hope for this partnership to flourish with more games ahead.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Dmitrovic; Gudelj, Ramos, Salas; Juanlu, Suso, Soumare, Torres, Pedrosa; En-Nesyri, Ocampos
Key Stats
- Atletico Madrid are undefeated in their last six home matches against Sevilla in all competitions.
- Atletico Madrid are undefeated at home this season in the La Liga, winning eight and drawing one game.
- Atletico Madrid could move into third with a victory over Sevilla.
- Sevilla have one victory in La Liga since the end of September.
- Sevilla have kept one clean sheet in their last 11 La Liga games.
Player To Watch
Alvaro Morata
The Spanish striker has fallen off the perch in recent games, with Simeone showing the willingness to experiment with his position. Angel Correa and Memphis Depay have staked a claim recently. But for now, Morata may still have the chance to partner Griezmann regularly.
Those guarantees will come with some consistent performances, and he could make an impression on the manager before the winter break with a good outing against Sevilla. Goals would surely help him stake a claim, as Morata has the chance to fire Atletico into third on the table in their last game of 2023.
Prediction
Atletico Madrid 3-1 Sevilla
Diego Simeone would push his side for an immediate response to their last two games, which ended in a defeat and a draw. The manager would emphasise the need to cut out errors as his team may not have too much room to play around in the title race.
Hence, Atletico Madrid, in front of their home fans, will show fire and put Sevilla to the sword. Quique Sanchez Flores would have hoped his side would show the same character, but this trip to Madrid will always come with its challenges. Diego Simeone’s side are likely to take all three points and go into third spot.
