Atletico Madrid go travel to Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán this Saturday to face historic rivals Sevilla for La Liga match wey go hold by 9 PM local time. Dis one come after Atletico get one big win for Champions League against FC Barcelona for mid-week. As dem dey, Atletico still dey fourth position for La Liga with 57 points, just one point behind Villarreal for third place and 12 points ahead of Real Betis wey dey fifth.
But make we yarn true true. Atletico mind no dey fully for La Liga now. Dem get big Champions League match for Tuesday wey go decide if dem go reach semifinal, and Copa del Rey final dey just one week away. So, Simeone and him boys get other priorities wey dey more important. However, Simeone no go just allow team wey no get motivation enter field. Him go make sure say dem still dey put pressure for Villarreal and extend gap with Betis. For recent times, Simeone don dey rotate him “B team” for league matches, and dis time, e fit even resemble “C team” wey go feature.
For Sevilla side, story dey different. Dem dey serious battle to avoid relegation, something wey nobody expect for team wey win UEFA Europa League just three years ago. Sevilla dey 31 points, just two points ahead of Elche wey dey 18th position. Wetin start like promising season with 4–1 win against Barcelona for October don turn to serious wahala. Dem no win match for two months and don lose three matches straight.
Since last time Atletico and Sevilla meet, plenty things don change. Sevilla don change manager. Matías Almeyda don leave, and dem bring former Atlético Madrid player Luis García Plaza. But even with new coach, Sevilla home record no dey good at all. Dem get second-worst home record for La Liga this season with only 16 points and 4-4-7 record. Since 2022, dem no finish higher than 12th position.
García Plaza go miss suspended players Tanguy Nianzou and José Ángel Carmona. Nianzou get red card against Oviedo while Carmona dey complete yellow card cycle. Marcão and César Azpilicueta dey out with injuries. If you dey go match, prepare for rain and temperature wey go dey around mid-60s.
For Atletico side, injury wahala dey. Dávid Hancko wey be Simeone most-used outfield player don go down 30 minutes into game at Camp Nou and leave stadium on crutches. Marca report say Hancko fit miss both second leg against Barcelona and Copa del Rey final against Real Sociedad. José María Giménez injury and Marc Pubill suspension for second leg against Barcelona dey worry Simeone. We fit see Robin Le Normand or Clément Lenglet partner Pubill for Pizjuán.
Simeone don talk say plenty B team and academy players go feature for Saturday, partly because of numerous injuries wey dey plague first team. Pablo Barrios and Johnny Cardoso no dey full team training, while Jan Oblak dey slowly dey return. Rodri Mendoza don come back and fit start against Sevilla. Even though match no get high stakes for Atletico, e go be good opportunity for supporters to see future of club and for players like Álex Baena and Thiago Almada to find form before important matches ahead.
Historically, Atlético Madrid get 69–54–50 all-time record against Sevilla for La Liga. For last 10 league meetings, Los Colchoneros get 7-1-2 record against Sevilla. Atletico win reverse fixture 3-0 for November at Metropolitano with Thiago Almada, Antoine Griezmann and Julián Alvarez scoring for second half.
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