Atlético Madrid looks to rediscover winning ways against Mallorca
Atlético Madrid face Real Mallorca on Saturday, February 1st at the Metropolitano, in a crucial match for the red and whites, who need to get back to winning ways after their defeat to Leganés and draw against Villarreal.
With the boost of their midweek Champions League thrashing of Salzburg, but also with a fatigue that already affected them in the Villarreal match, Atlético are focused on the league, where they don’t want to fall behind.
The future is now for the mattress makers, as for the Madrid derby on February 8th to be important in the title race, Atlético need to win their match against Mallorca with three points. The difference with Real Madrid is four points at the start of this round.
Simeone is not a coach who worries about small details like Koke, Le Normand and Julián Álvarez being on a yellow card, but the reality is that losing any of them would be a blow ahead of the Bernabéu clash. The Cholo won’t have De Paul, who is suspended, or Galán, who is injured.
It’s also worth noting that Molina and Azpilicueta are slightly physically hampered. De Paul’s absence is particularly significant, as he has been the team’s engine in this part of the season.
Gallagher or Koke will compete for his place in a lineup that could leave Le Normand out, Barrios’ return after serving a Champions League suspension, and the question of who will lead the attack between Sorloth or Julián Alvarez.
Mallorca, for their part, have been through a tough month, with a Copa del Rey elimination by Pontevedra, a Super Cup semi-final thrashing by Real Madrid, and two Liga defeats to Villarreal and Betis. Mallorca will need to make the most of their few chances at the Metropolitano, after a month in which they haven’t scored a single goal, while their main striker, Vedat Muriqi, is going through a rough patch with just three goals so far this season.
