Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid will hit the road to square up against UE Vic in the first round of the Copa del Rey.
Atletico Madrid will be looking to return to winning ways when they face sixth-tier UE Vic on Thursday at the Hipolit Planas Stadium.
The home team got the better of Spoting Mahon in the preliminary round and now they find themselves hosting one of the giants in Spanish football. This is their first-ever appearance in the competition since the 1977/78 season. While Vic will be hoping to script an upset, only a miracle can guide them past Atletico.
The visitors are not in the best of forms as they have lost their last two outings across competitions. They lost 3-1 to LOSC Lille in the Champions League and then suffered their first league defeat against Real Betis. Simeone’s team will look to put it all behind them with a win in the first round of the Copa del Rey.
Atletico Madrid are the out-and-out favourite for this fixture as they have a lot more quality in their squad. But, they cannot take it for granted and will be looking for a statement win. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could put to use.
Team News & Tactics
UE Vic
The home team do not have any injury concerns as they gear up for one of the biggest matches in their history. Given the difference in quality of the two teams, Vic manager Ramonet could take a defensive approach and his team could line up in a 5-4-1 formation.
Agustín Mora is expected to take charge in between the sticks for the home team while Nil Pradas and David Busquets will most likely be the wing-backs. In the heart of the defence, Ot Bofill should start alongside Roger Cunill and Gil Bertrana.
Ignasi Armengou and Marti Riera will start out wide in midfield, while Pius Quer and Didac Serra will take up a more central role. The four will look to protect the backline as well as try to contribute towards the other end of the pitch. Meanwhile, 20-year-old attacker Ignasi Quer should be leading the line for Vic.
Probable Lineup (5-4-1): Mora; Pradas, Cunill, Bertrana, Bofill, Busquets; Armengou, Serra, Pius Quer, Riera; Ignasi Quer
Atletico Madrid
Diego Simeone will be without the services of Pablo Barrios, Marcos Llorente, Robin Le Normand, and Cesar Azpilicueta. While Clement Lenglet is closing in on a return, he won’t be risked in this fixture.
Expect the Colchoneros to make wholesale changes to their squad and give opportunities to players who have not had much game time this season. The visitors will line up in a 3-5-2 formation, where Juan Musso should start in goal. The back three should be made up of Geronimo Spina, Ilias Kostis, and Reinildo Mandava.
Javi Galan and Rodrigo Riquelme will most likely feature as the wing-backs, while Aitor Gismera, Koke and Thomas Lemar will start in a central midfield role. The trio will look to control the tempo of the game. In attack, Giuliano Simeone should pair up with Angel Correa.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Musso; Spina, Kostis, Reinildo; Riquelme, Gismera, Koke, Lemar, Galan; Simeone, Correa
Key Stats
- Atletico Madrid and Vic will face each other for the first time.
- The home team have scored twice in seven out of their last nine outings.
- Diego Simeone’s team have lost each of their last two outings in all competitions heading into this fixture.
- Vic have won four out of their last five games across competitions.
- Atletico Madrid have not found the back of the net in two out of their last five outings, with both being away from home.
Player to Watch
Giuliano Simeone
Diego Simeone could hand his son Giuliano Simeone a start in this fixture. While the 21-year-old striker is yet to find the back of the net this season, he did bag an assist in their recent win over Leganes. The Argentine youth international will be eager to make a mark with a goal, and this does seem to be an ideal opportunity for him to shine.
Prediction
UE Vic 1-4 Atletico Madrid
While Atletico Madrid won’t start the game with their best XI, they will still have enough quality on the pitch which suggests they should have an easy day at the office in this fixture. The home team will be dreaming of scripting an epic win but it looks very unlikely. The Hard Tackle predicts a 4-1 win for Diego Simeone’s men.
