Atleti Hosts a Wounded Valencia: Updated Preview
On Sunday, September 15th at 9:00 PM, Atlético Madrid will face Valencia at the Metropolitano Stadium in a match corresponding to LaLiga’s Matchday 5. The game will be officiated by Soto Grado and broadcast live on Movistar+ LaLigaTV.
After the international break, Diego Simeone’s Atlético Madrid is preparing to host a struggling Valencia, currently at the bottom of the table with only 1 point from 12 possible. Rubén Baraja’s Valencia arrives desperately needing to change their form if they want to escape last place and turn their season around.
Current Form
Atleti enters the game in strong league form, with 8 points from 12 possible. Their most recent victory came away at San Mamés, where they defeated Athletic Club thanks to a goal by Ángel Correa. However, in their last home match, they were held to a 0-0 draw against Espanyol, who were at the bottom of the table at the time. This result might provide hope for Valencia, who will try to exploit any weaknesses in Atlético’s performance to leave Madrid with a positive result.
Valencia, on the other hand, has only earned 1 point from their first four LaLiga matches. A draw against Villarreal in Matchday 4 finally opened their points tally, but defeats against Barcelona, Celta, and Athletic have left the team in a precarious position, pushing them to find quick solutions to turn the tide.
Head-to-Head History
These two historic clubs have faced each other 182 times across all competitions. Atlético Madrid has the edge with 72 victories, while Valencia has won 62 matches, and 48 games have ended in a draw. This long-standing rivalry always adds extra excitement to their clashes.
Coaches’ Statements
Atlético manager Diego Simeone cautioned about the difficulty of the match against Valencia:
“Valencia, because of their coach and how the team has behaved since Baraja arrived, has a clear way of playing. They respect it, and they compete well. I expect a competitive team, as we have faced since Baraja has been there.”
Valencia’s coach Rubén Baraja acknowledged the challenge his team faces while praising Atlético:
“It’s going to be a very difficult match. Atleti is a powerful team in every sense—vertical and fast. We need to be at our highest level to compete, and we have prepared to be close to perfection. We will look for our opportunities by staying true to ourselves.”
Key Players for Atlético Madrid
- Antoine Griezmann: The French forward remains the heart of Atlético’s attack. His impressive performances last season helped secure Champions League qualification. Griezmann will be a key figure and a constant threat to Valencia’s defense.
- Julián Álvarez: The summer signing has yet to score in LaLiga, but after a strong showing during the international break, expectations are high for his form to improve.
- Marcos Llorente: The versatile Spanish player has been one of Atlético’s standout performers in the early part of the season. His strength and impressive stats have secured him a starting position on the right wing.
Key Players for Valencia
- Giorgi Mamardashvili: The Georgian goalkeeper has been Valencia’s standout player so far, especially following the injury to Hugo Duro. Mamardashvili has attracted interest from top European clubs, but Valencia managed to keep him. His performance will be crucial to keep Atlético at bay.
- Diego López: Despite a slow start to the season, López is an essential player for Valencia, capable of exploiting space behind defenses and stretching the team forward. His fresh legs and determination will be key in such a challenging game.
- Javi Guerra: The young midfielder was close to signing for Atlético this summer. After losing his starting spot in recent matches, Baraja has urged him to take on more responsibility.
Match Referee
The referee for the match will be César Soto Grado, from the Rioja region. He has officiated 12 Atlético matches, with a record of 8 wins, 3 draws, and 1 loss for the rojiblancos. Soto Grado has also officiated 12 Valencia games, resulting in 3 wins, 5 draws, and 4 losses for the chés.
Expected Lineups
- Atlético Madrid (5-3-2): Oblak; Llorente, Le Normand, Giménez, Azpilicueta, Lino; Koke, Gallagher, De Paul; Griezmann, Sorloth.
- Valencia (4-3-3): Mamardashvili; Correia, Mosquera, Tárrega, Jesús Vázquez; Guillamón, Pepelu, Almeida; Diego López, Rioja, Dani Gómez.
Conclusion
Sunday’s clash will be a test of how well both teams utilized the international break. Atlético Madrid will aim to continue their winning form, while Valencia must urgently secure their first win of the season. It promises to be a tightly contested game, with both sides under pressure to deliver a result.
Author: Digital Kumkum
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