Atlético: Express Recovery for the Clásico
After the painful elimination in the penalty shootout of the Champions League round of 16 against Real Madrid at the Metropolitano, Atlético de Madrid has little time to lick its wounds. The team must recover physically and mentally for the crucial league clash against Barcelona.
The schedule demands a quick tune-up, especially after the intense 128 minutes of the Madrid derby. Players like Jan Oblak, José María Giménez, Marcos Llorente, Pablo Barrios and Julián Álvarez played the entire match, while others like Clement Lenglet and Rodrigo de Paul also suffered considerable wear and tear.
The coaching staff is working on differentiated sessions to optimize the recovery of each player. Antoine Griezmann, Giuliano Simeone and Rodrigo de Paul have been regulars in the starting eleven in the last six matches, demonstrating their commitment and endurance.
Marcos Llorente has been the player with the most minutes accumulated in this demanding stretch. For the match against Barcelona, the only confirmed absence is Ángel Correa, who is suspended. Atlético needs the victory or at least a draw to stay close to the top spots in LaLiga. The match represents a trial by fire for the squad, which has faced a very demanding schedule in recent weeks, with decisive matches in all competitions.
