La Liga: Simeone’s surprise selection planned for Osasuna tie
Atletico take on Osasuna on Sunday and there could be a surprise selection up top. From what was seen in training this Saturday, Joao Felix could form part of a two-man attack with Luis Suarez.
Atletico know exactly what they need to do on Sunday. To be crowned champions, they have to win and hope that Madrid either lose or draw against Athletic Club. Regardless of what their opponents do, Atletico are concentrated on what they need to do – beating Osasuna. For this reason Simeone’s men were training hard this Saturday.
Tomorrow’s team 🔴⚪📋 pic.twitter.com/JVd931sTDG
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) May 15, 2021
Suarez’s partner up top could spring a few surprises. The Portuguese Joao Felix trained with the starting eleven this Saturday, a surprising revelation after four matches as a substitute and being pushed out wide, a position which has recently been Yannick Carrasco’s territory. Thus, Joao Felix could advance his position up the pitch or start once more on the bench.
In the middle of the park, Geoffrey Kondogbia will come in for Saul Ñigez, partnered by an in-form Koke in the centre and Marcos Llorente on the inside right. The Brazilian Renan Lodi will be the new starter in an Atleti defence which could return to a back three with wing-backs, with Lodi on the left and the Englishman Kieran Trippier on the right. Stefan Savic, Felipe Monteiro and Mario Hermoso look set to make up the back three.
Out of context Atleti. pic.twitter.com/op31sbq4CK
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) May 15, 2021
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The only absentie for the match will be French midfielder Thomas Lemar, after he missed Wednesday’s match against Real Sociedad through injury and was unable to join the group for training this Saturday. The club aim to have him back for their last match of the season against Valladolid.
The supporters, faithful to their agreement with the team, left the squad a message as they have been doing in recent matches: “I would give my life to see you champions”, a phrase from one of the supporters’ chants featured in Saturday’s training session.