Following a gruelling week of Champions League action, Atletico Madrid is preparing to face cross-city rivals Real Madrid in a highly anticipated derby at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday night. However, reports suggest the fixture could be somewhat ‘decaffeinated’ for Los Colchoneros, who may opt to rest key players.
Real Madrid enters the match needing all three points to maintain pressure on Barcelona in the La Liga title race, currently trailing by four points. Los Blancos also benefit from an extra day of rest, having played Manchester City on Tuesday, a match where they faced a numerical advantage for 70 minutes. In contrast, Atletico Madrid endured a more demanding Champions League encounter, securing a 7-5 aggregate victory over Tottenham Hotspur despite losing the second leg 3-2.
Atletico Madrid Considers Player Rotation Against Real Madrid
In La Liga, Atletico Madrid finds itself in a comfortable position. While 13 points adrift of the title challenge, their primary objective of Champions League qualification appears secured, with a 13-point cushion over fifth-placed Real Betis and just two points separating them from Villarreal in fourth. According to Diario AS, with minimal consequences stemming from a win or defeat in the derby, manager Diego Simeone is reportedly contemplating rotating his squad.
This potential rotation could see players like Jose Maria Gimenez, Alex Baena, Thiago Almada, and Alexander Sorloth, who have recently been starting from the bench, earning a place in the starting eleven for the crucial derby fixture.
Challenging Schedule Ahead for Atletico Madrid
Simeone’s decision is heavily influenced by Atletico’s demanding upcoming schedule. After the Real Madrid derby, they face Barcelona three times in a span of just ten days, with a trip to Sevilla sandwiched in between. Following the second leg of their Champions League clash with Barcelona, Atletico will return to Seville to compete in the Copa del Rey final against Real Sociedad on April 18th.
Adding to the challenges, Atletico Madrid is also dealing with several injuries. Jan Oblak, Rodrigo Mendoza, and Pablo Barrios are currently sidelined. Marc Pubill missed the Spurs game due to rib pain, and his availability for the Real Madrid match remains uncertain, with a decision expected on whether he will be risked. Pubill has also been excluded from the Spain squad due to his fitness concerns.
