Atlético hurries for the runner-up against a downcast Sevilla
MADRID, 14 May. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Atlético de Madrid will try to maintain its good run of results and continue to aspire to the runner-up position in LaLiga Santander, which would also give it access to the Spanish Super Cup, in its farewell this Sunday from the Wanda Metropolitano (7:30 p.m.) against a Sevilla that he needs at least to score so as not to complicate his ticket for the next Champions League.
The rojiblanco team has already certified its classification for the tenth consecutive season for the Champions League after winning (0-2) at the Martínez Valero against Elche and now wants to end the year in the best possible way and give all the ‘war’ possible to FC Barcelona in a second place that has the added prize of playing the ‘Final Four’ of the Spanish Super Cup and the consequent sporting and economic reinforcement.
Diego Pablo Simeone’s men have a difficult time because they are five points behind the Blaugrana with only six to play and they need to win what remains and for their rival to lose their two games, so almost the main objective is to end the best sensations possible after an irregular year and with a victory against a direct rival that is played almost more.
Sevilla has gone from being a contender to fight Real Madrid for the title to having to suffer until the end to secure its presence in the top continental competition, a privilege that is, despite everything, very close, just one point, and that losing him would be doubly painful because the winner would be his great rival, Betis.
However, the two teams, separated by just one point, are also fighting to finish third, an argument that is also enough to witness the usual duel of tension and intensity that both usually offer in their clashes. In fact, Atlético, in all the full seasons under the direction of ‘Cholo’, have never dropped off the league podium, a status they will want to maintain, while Sevilla have not been in the top three since the 2008-2009 campaign.
The colchoneros are more excited than the sevillistas thanks to their two consecutive victories, both also without conceding, in the always important derby against Real Madrid (1-0) and against Elche (0-2), a reinforcement that they want to transfer to their last two demanding games, since they will close in San Sebastián against Real Sociedad.
Simeone’s team will want to close their season at the Metropolitano by bringing one more victory to their fans, who seem to see Uruguayan Luis Suárez, the hero of last year’s title, at home for the last time and everything indicates that he will leave the club end of season. The ‘Cholo’ confirmed that the player from Salto will play and between Cunha, at a good moment, and Griezmann, who hasn’t scored in the league since the end of November, his substitute will be because Joao Felix is still not ready.
Renan Lodi, due to suspension, and Thomas Lemar and Sime Vrsaljko, due to injury, are the other casualties of the Argentine coach, who will not be able to repeat the eleven of last Wednesday’s victory due to the absence of the Croatian. Marcos Llorente or Daniel Wass could be his replacements for the rojiblanco right lane.
For its part, Sevilla arrives in the capital immersed in a poor game dynamic and results. The Seville team has chained three consecutive draws and with only two goals scored to say goodbye to their chances of fighting for the runner-up position, and since March they have only been able to win three of their ten league games.
Everything has even caused doubts about the confidence in Julen Lopetegui, whose continuity on the Sevilla bench could be in danger if he does not achieve the primary objective for the club of gaining access to the Champions League. In addition, he is weak at home and in 2022 he has only won at Nuevo Mirandilla and Ciutat de València, while he has not done so against Atlético since the 2008-2009 campaign.
The Gipuzkoan coach could touch up his eleven compared to last Wednesday’s goalless draw against Mallorca with the entries of Lucas Ocampos, who would take the place of the suspended Erik Lamela, and Ivan Rakitic, while it seems that Jesús Navas could be in the game despite to your annoyances.
MADRID ATHLETIC: Oblak; Savic, Gimenez, Reinildo; Crying, Koke, Kondogbia, De Paul, Carrasco; Cunha and Luis Suarez.
SEVILLE: Bond; Navas, Kound, Diego Carlos, Coin; Rakitic, Jordan; Crown, ‘Papu’ Gomez, Ocampos; and In Nesyri.
–REFEREE: Sánchez Martínez (C.Murciano).
–STADIUM: Metropolitan Wanda.
–TIME: 7:30 p.m./Movistar LaLiga.
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