Two sides, Real Valladolid and Atletico Madrid, come into the clash with different objectives, as they aim to end the season on a strong note.
Real Valladolid hopes to ride the storm until the end of the season and find their feet in the off-season with their La Liga status intact. Earlier this month, the team saw Paulo Pezzolano installed as their new head coach, as he hopes to keep the team up and running.
They remain four points of the relegation zone but still have much work to do ahead of the season’s final stages. Valladolid has to be careful and get some points on board or risk being dragged back into the bottom three. Their home record has been a bit favourable, but they will have to put up a fight against Atletico Madrid.
📋 SQUAD LIST
⚡These are the players called up by Pezzolano for tomorrow's match. 🔥#RealValladolidAtleti pic.twitter.com/v8Z5prOrd3— Real Valladolid CF 🇬🇧🇺🇸🇨🇦 💜 (@realvalladolidE) April 29, 2023
Diego Simeone may reflect on the season so far and see no chance of winning silverware. Yet, the campaign could bear some fruit in the way of finishing second behind runaway leaders Barcelona. Real Madrid’s inconsistent form in La Liga has opened the doors for the Roji Blancos.
Atletico managed to bounce back from their loss against Barcelona with a 3-1 win over Mallorca on Wednesday. Rodrigo De Paul, Alvaro Morata and Yannick Carrasco got the goals as the Roji Blancos fought to go a goal down in the 20th minute.
Heading into the weekend, Atletico are only two points behind Real Madrid, with a great chance to close the gap. A second-placed finish to end the season will restore their pride and build confidence ahead of the new campaign, which they must start with a win over Valladolid.
Team News & Tactics
Real Valladolid
Valladolid have a few key problems with injuries on their side. Selim Amallah was ruled out for the remainder of the season with a shoulder injury sustained against Valencia. he joins Anuar Tuhami on the sidelines. Jawad El Yamiq remains doubtful to feature, but much will get clearer before the game.
Stay strong, Amallah! 💪
You’ll come back as strong as ever! pic.twitter.com/lZ8qggmeQR— Real Valladolid CF 🇬🇧🇺🇸🇨🇦 💜 (@realvalladolidE) April 29, 2023
Alvaro Aguado and Javier Sanchez could come into this side, as those may seem like the only tweak from the recent result against Valencia. Gonzalo Plata and Cyle Larin should start in the attacking third and continue their impressive form.
Sanchez and El Yamiq, if fit, should start as the preferred central defensive pairing, with Ivan Fresneda and Lucas Rosa as full-backs. Aguado and Monchu should feature in midfield alongside Kike Perez there. With Larin leading the line in the attack, Plata and Oscar Plano will support and complete the front three.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3) – Asenjo; Fresneda, Sanchez, Yamiq, Rosa; Aguado, Perez, Monchu; Plata, Larin, Plano
Atletico Madrid
Simeone also has quite a few injuries to his key players. The list starts with keeper Jan Oblak, who remains sidelined. He joins Marcos Llotente, Stefan Savic and Reinildo. Memphis Depay could also stay out of the clash as he approaches a return.
¡Un nuevo reto en @LaLiga nos espera! 👊 pic.twitter.com/zSi1jHjHkL
— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) April 29, 2023
Pablo Barrios should start at the base of midfield alongside De Paul and Koke. Thomas Lemar also seems like an option, but Simeone will likely stick with the trio above in the middle of the park.
Nahuel Molina and Carrasco should keep those wing-backs spots, as they provide the width and ample support to the front two in the attack. At the back, Ivo Grbic will replace Oblak in goal and will have a back three of Mario Hermoso, Axel Witsel and Jose Gimenez ahead.
Antoine Griezmann will continue to form a vital part of this Atletico attack. Simeone will again place his trust in Alvaro Morata to lead the line, with the striker entering a crucial period of the season that may impact his career.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2) – Grbic; Hermoso, Witsel, Gimenez; Molina, De Paul, Barrios, Koke, Carrasco; Griezmann, Morata
Key Stats
- Atletico Madrid have won 12 of their last 13 matches against Real Valladolid in all competitions.
- Atletico Madrid have won 7 of their last 8 matches in La Liga.
- Atletico Madrid have kept a clean sheet in 5 of their last 6 matches against Real Valladolid in all competitions.
- Real Valladolid are unbeaten in their last 3 games in La Liga.
- Real Valladolid have taken 24 points from their 15 home games this season in La Liga.
Player to Watch
Alvaro Morata
Yet another big summer decision beckons Morata as he looks to wrap up another season of mixed results with Atletico. The striker will want to finish the season on a high despite knowing there will come uncertainties regarding his future.
He has to show there’s consistent quality in his locker that might persuade Simeone to keep him on board. Atletico might decide on the Spaniard, considering he will enter the final year of his contract. Hence, a top performance against Valladolid and more until the season ends could give Morata a good opportunity to decide his future.
Prediction
Real Valladolid 1-3 Atletico Madrid
Atletico’s season has had many ups and downs, but they have proved their consistency over the last few weeks. The Barcelona defeat aside, Simeone’s men have shown the quality needed to finish in the top three of this division.
Valladolid are the team coming into this clash under more pressure. They may seem clear off the relegation zone, but there’s much work ahead before the campaign ends. The Atletico game may fall at the wrong time for them, as they could experience another defeat that could put them in a tough spot.
