Atlético Madrid vs. Villarreal: Preview, Squad News, and Predictions
Atlético Madrid and Villarreal are set to clash at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano this Saturday in a highly anticipated La Liga match. Both teams are looking to make a statement, with Atlético eager for their first victory of the season and Villarreal aiming to continue their strong start.
Simeone's Squad and Team News
Diego Simeone has named his squad for the crucial match against Villarreal, with a strong desire to turn things around after a disappointing start to the season. Doubts surrounded Julián Alvarez's availability due to international duty, but he has been included in the squad. It remains to be seen whether Simeone will include him in the starting eleven. Thiago Almada is a fitness concern after withdrawing from Argentina’s World Cup qualifiers due to muscle fatigue, he is undergoing medical evaluations.
Predicted Lineups
With Alex Baena sidelined after appendicitis surgery, Simeone faces selection challenges in midfield. Here is the predicted lineup for Atletico Madrid:
Atletico Madrid Predicted XI: Oblak; Llorente, Le Normand, Lenglet, Hancko; Simeone, Cardoso, Barrios, Ruggeri; Sorloth, Alvarez.
Villarreal's Perspective: Marcelino's Pre-Match Comments
Villarreal CF head coach Marcelino García Toral has emphasized the difficulty of the fixture and the need for his team to show personality against a tough Atlético de Madrid side. He acknowledged the return of international players in good shape and expressed satisfaction with having the full squad available. "We’re very pleased to finally have the full squad available for the season," Marcelino stated.
Marcelino's Keys to Success
Marcelino outlined key aspects for Villarreal to achieve a positive result: solid defending, efficiency in attack, and the ability to counter-attack effectively. He also highlighted the importance of attacking with personality. "When we don’t have the ball, we must defend very well," he explained. "We need to stay efficient because they have great attacking players."
Broadcast Information
The match between Atletico Madrid and Villarreal is scheduled for Saturday, September 13th at 8pm BST. Viewers in the UK can watch the game live on Disney+.
Match Preview Summary
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Teams | Atletico Madrid vs. Villarreal |
| Competition | La Liga |
| Date | Saturday, September 13th |
| Time | 8pm BST |
| Location | Riyadh Air Metropolitano |
| TV Broadcast (UK) | Disney+ |
