Preview: Atlético Madrid are aiming for their third win in a row in the LALIGA

Atlético de Madrid hosts Celta Vigo on Sunday afternoon as the two teams look to achieve their goals at opposite ends of the table.

Atlético Madrid (21-4-9, 67 points) will welcome back Antoine Griezmann after the star striker missed last weekend’s win against Mallorca due to suspension. However, Diego Simeone may have to retool a defense that actually did quite well in last Saturday’s narrow win at Son Moix. Nahuel Molina’s hamstring injury could keep him out for the rest of the season, while Josema Giménez appeared to suffer another muscle injury on Friday but returned to training on Saturday.

“We’re focused on the next game, that’s important to us,” Simeone told reporters on Saturday. “That’s what we try to do during the week, give the players facts and an understanding of the opposition. In the last few games the team has worked according to the needs of the club.”

Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images

Celta Vigo (8-10-16, 34 points) – now coached by former Atlético B left-back Claudio Giráldez after the dismissal of Rafa Benítez – has won two of its last three games and is eight points clear of the relegation zone. Iago Aspas continues to be Celta’s key player and the 36-year-old has registered six goals (three goals/three assists) in the Galician side’s last three games. Celta have won once in their last six away days and have had zero wins in their last ten meetings with Atlético – the Sky Blues’ last win against Atleti in Madrid came in the quarter-finals of the 2016 Copa del Rey.

“Celta have improved under a new manager, they have woken up to do the job they do,” Simeone said.

As for Simeone’s possible 11 players, the returning Griezmann will likely be up front with Ángel Correa, and Koke will form the midfield, flanked by Pablo Barrios and perhaps Samuel Lino. In defence, uncertainty over Giménez’s status means a Stefan Savić start could be on the cards, while the coach will decide whether Marcos Llorente or César Azpilicueta will play at right-back.

This match preview will be updated with the confirmed matchday squad.

Date May 12, 2024

Location Cívitas Metropolitano Stadium, Madrid

Kick-off time 4:15 p.m. CEST, 3:15 p.m. BST, 10:15 a.m. ET, 7:15 a.m. PT

Available TV/Streaming ESPN+ (United States)