Atletico Madrid have been under pressure following last weekend’s result as they now take on an in-form Getafe in midweek.
Diego Simeone would have wanted Atletico Madrid, who face Getafe this midweek, to take every game like a final to stay in touch with the top two in the division. Had they beaten Athletic Club this past weekend, the Rojiblancos could have leapfrogged third-placed Barcelona.
Instead, they suffered a 2-0 loss away to Athletic Club, with second-half strikes from Gorka Guruzeta and Nico Williams proving enough to condemn Atletico to their third away loss in their last four games. It is a result that dealt a blow in the title race, but Simeone will want to bounce back quickly.
Atletico Madrid have another chance in midweek against Getafe and then at the weekend when they take on a struggling Sevilla. The Colchoneros will rely on their superior home form, where they have won eleven straight games in all competitions this season, and they also have a solid record against Getafe, against whom they have not lost since 2011.
Jose Bordalas’s side are in a fantastic vein of form heading to Atletico Madrid, winning four of their last five in all competitions, including three in a row. They beat Valencia and Sevilla recently and have progressed in the Copa Del Rey after a victory over Atzeneta.
Their record against Atletico remains poor, but Bordalas will take confidence from the hard-earned draw against this opponent in the corresponding fixture last season. Getafe have finished 15th in each of their last two campaigns. But their rise to eighth place this term with 25 points on board does fill the idea of a European finish, which would need them to grind out results against the big teams.
Team News & Tactics
Atletico Madrid
Diego Simeone has no fresh injury concerns with his squad, with Thomas Lemar and Pablo Barrios the only ones missing from action. The manager could make a few changes to his lineup, but only a couple of alterations at best.
Turkish defender Caglar Soyuncu and midfielder Saul Niguez could drop down to the bench for the Getafe clash after an inept performance at the weekend. Angel Correa and Jose Maria Gimenez could come in their place, as the former’s selection could let Simeone change the system a bit.
Correa could add an extra layer of attacking threat, as he will start alongside Antoine Griezmann and Alvaro Morata as a front three. Meanwhile, Rodrigo De Paul could also replace Marcos Llorente and partner Koke in central midfield, with that shape likely to give the manager a better balance.
Nahuel Molina and Samuel Lino could continue their wing-back roles, while Jose Gimenez will enter the frame at the back alongside Axel Witsel and Mario Hermoso.
Probable Lineup (3-4-3): Oblak; Gimenez, Witsel, Hermoso; Molina, De Paul, Koke, Lino; Griezmann, Morata, Correa
Getafe
Jose Bordalas will continue to deploy a 4-4-2 shape and will be boosted by the return of key defender Domingos Duarte after he served a suspension. Mauro Arambarri and Enes Unal are the only ones unavailable for selection as they recover from long-term problems.
Gaston Alvarez could make way for Domingos Duarte in the lineup, as he will return to his left-back slot to replace Diego Rico. Juan Iglesias and Djene Dakonam will retain their places in the back four.
Manchester United loanee Mason Greenwood was imperious against Sevilla, and it seems he prefers the right-wing slot in that 4-4-2. The forward scored, assisted in the last game for Getafe, and will keep his place on the right against Atletico Madrid.
Nemanja Maksimovic and Luis Milla will continue marshalling the central midfield area, with Jaime Mata pencilled in to remain on the left wing. Bordalas will continue to deploy Borja Mayoral and Juanmi Latasa as his starting strikers.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Soria; Iglesias, Djene, Duarte, Alvarez; Greenwood, Maksimovic, Milla, Mata; Mayoral, Latasa
Key Stats
- Atletico have won 11 games in a row at home in all competitions.
- Atletico have not kept a clean sheet in their last 3 La Liga matches.
- Getafe have not won against Atletico since. November 2011.
- Getafe have won 4 of their last 5 matches in all competitions.
- Getafe have kept a clean sheet in their last 2 La Liga games.
Player to Watch
Antoine Griezmann
The experienced Atletico attacker has a task on his hands to lead the team out of the rut caused by the morale-sapping defeat against Athletic Club. The Frenchman has had a fantastic season but failed to score in his last three La Liga clashes.
He would want to return to the scoresheet and get Atletico on track with their objectives. A defeat at the weekend cost them a chance to go third, but they will drop points further tomorrow, and then they will dent their chances of catching the top two at the weekend. Hence, Griezmann must step up and lead his team up front.
Prediction
Atletico Madrid 2-1 Getafe
The visitors have shown solid form of late and are vying for essential places on the La Liga table. They have a good enough squad to hurt some big teams. But Getafe might continue their struggle against Atletico Madrid, especially away from home.
Getafe hav not beaten the Rojiblancos in more than 12 years, which wait might continue heading to the clash against Diego Simeone’s men. For their part, Atletico has been leaky at the back but solid overall at home, winning their last 11 games, and remains on course to make that 12 against Getafe.
