Defending champions Atletico Madrid will be looking to salvage their faltering La Liga title defence when they face Osasuna this weekend.
Defending La Liga champions Atletico Madrid will travel to the El Sadar Stadium to face an inspired Osasuna in what will be a must-win game for the away side.
In recent seasons, Diego Simeone’s team has carved out a nice niche for themselves. Built around a stingy defence, the Argentine’s Atletico side were a nightmare to play against. The opposition teams appear to have missed the memo this season and have easily bested the Rojiblancos’ defence so far.
A string of disappointing results sees the defending champions languish in fifth place in the league. With their title defence in tatters, the onus will be on the Colchoneros to strengthen their claim for a top-four finish. Doing so will see them qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League and give them a fighting chance of rectifying this season’s wrongs.
Unlike their opponents, Osasuna are enjoying a decent season and look set for a finish in the top half of the table. This will be a considerable improvement over their 11th placed finish last season. Winning the game at the weekend will take them to within four points of Atletico.
Coming off the back of a defeat to Levante, Los Colchoneros cannot afford to drop any more cheap points. A win against Osasuna will hand the defending champions enough breathing space to put together a run of good results.
Team News & Tactics
Osasuna
Osasuna will be without the injured trio of Kike Barja, Jesus Areso and Aridane Hernandez on the night. If their last game against Rayo Vallecano is to be considered, Jagoba Arrasate will have little need to rotate his squad ahead of the weekend.
Los Rojillos appear likely to feature in a 4-3-3 formation that has brought them good success of late. Sergio Herrera is a sure starter in goal and will play behind the back four of Manu Sanchez, Juan Cruz, David Garcia and Nacho Vidal.
Lucas Torro will be tasked with keeping the balance in the middle of the park and will form a dependable trio alongside Darko Brasanac and Jon Moncayola. The trio will need to be at their absolute best to stop a combative and physical Atletico Madrid midfield.
Winning the midfield battle will certainly help Osasuna to take the game to their opponents. Ante Budimir can start upfront with Ruben Garcia and Chimy Avila on the flanks. A major issue for the home side has been their inability to find the back of the net. Only Real Sociedad have fewer goals than Osasuna in the top ten of La Liga.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Herrera; Sanchez, Cruz, Garcia, Vidal ; Brasanac, Torro, Moncayola; Garcia, Budimir, Avila
Atletico Madrid
This season, Simeone’s side has struggled to secure the required results and find themselves in the fifth spot in La Liga. While a single win will not be enough to salvage their season, it could lay the foundations for a series of good results. With Champions League games against Manchester United to come, there is no better time than now for the La Liga giants to rediscover their lost touch.
The Colchoneros will be without Daniel Wass and Matheus Cunha, both sidelined with injuries. Belgian winger Yannick Carrasco is available after recovering from COVID-19, while Rodrigo De Paul is suspended for the game. Despite the absentees, Simeone has enough quality at his disposal to put together a solid playing XI.
? Our squad list for the trip to Pamplona! pic.twitter.com/mgIpDPwDks
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) February 18, 2022
The Argentine will likely deploy his side in a 4-4-2 system with Jan Oblak in goal and a flat back four of Reinildo, Stefan Savic, Jose Maria Gimenez and Marcos Llorente. Spanish international Koke is likely to partner Geoffrey Kondogbia in central midfield, with Thomas Lemar and Yannick Carrasco occupying the flanks.
Star striker Luis Suarez is likely to start upfront alongside Portuguese sensation Joao Felix. Both players have failed to hit top form this season, and all eyes will be on them to make the difference on the night. With Antoine Griezmann and Angel Correa also available off the bench, Atletico have enough firepower to secure all three points.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Oblak; Reinildo, Savic, Gimenez, Llorente; Lemar, Koke, Kondogbia, Carrasco; Suarez, Felix
Key Stats
- Osasuna have failed to beat Atletico Madrid in their last seven matches in La Liga. They have also failed to score in five of those games.
- Atletico Madrid have won their previous three games at the El Sadar Stadium. Another win on Saturday will see them win four games on the trot vs Osasuna for the first time.
- Osasuna have kept a clean sheet in their last three top-flight games. Repeating the trick against Atletico will see them extend the run to four matches, a first since 2012.
- Atletico Madrid have failed to win any of their last five away games in La Liga. The last time they went six straight away games in the league without a win was in 2012.
- Atletico have conceded more goals this season in La Liga than any other side in the top 11. Only six Spanish top-flight teams have conceded more than Atletico Madrid in the league this season.
Player to Watch
Koke
The Spanish international is Atletico’s engine in the middle of the pitch and will have a huge role to play on the night. The 30-year-old has not met his usual standards this season, but as the skipper, he needs to step up and lead his side out of their rut.
A major issue that Atletico have faced this season is the ease with which opposition teams have bypassed their midfield. The same cannot happen against Osasuna as that could effectively isolate the defence from the attack. Koke being at his best will help Simeone’s side overcome the weakness and seize control in what is a must-win game.
While Koke does have the technical ability, what Atletico sorely need now is his fighting qualities and heart in the middle of the pitch. He has been due a good performance for some time now and will hopefully deliver on the night.
Prediction
Osasuna 0-1 Atletico Madrid
The game is unlikely to be a technical masterpiece and could largely be a cagey affair. Atletico will certainly have an eye on their upcoming UEFA Champions League Round of 16 first-leg tie against Manchester United and will be keen to go into it on the back of a win. That being said, Osasuna have proven themselves to be dogged contenders and will be difficult to break down. But Atletico have enough strength in depth and that special something to inspire themselves to a narrow win.