Coming off a marvelous mid-week result in the Champions League against FC Barcelona, Atlético Madrid will travel to the Estadio Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán to battle historic rivals Sevilla on Saturday at 9 PM local time.
Atlético (17-6-7, 57 points) still sit fourth in LALIGA, one point behind Villarreal for third and 12 points ahead of Real Betis in fifth. Given the club’s current position in the league table, a massive home Champions League clash on Tuesday with a place in the semifinals at stake, and the Copa del Rey final just a week away, it is fair to say Simeone and company will have other priorities.
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However, this still remains as an important match. Although Los Rojiiblancos have their sights on other competitions, Diego Simeone will ensure the team he puts out is motivated and continues to put pressure on Villarreal while extending the gap to Betis. Simeone has recently rotated his “B team” in league matches, and this lineup could be rotated even further, resembling more of a “C team.”
Sevilla (8-7-15, 31 points) are locked firmly in a battle to avoid a disastrous relegation. The Andalusian side, which won the UEFA Europa League three years ago, is just two points ahead of Elche in 18th position. What once looked like a promising campaign for Sevilla, highlighted by a 4–1 demolition of Barcelona in October, has unraveled dramatically amid a three-match losing skid and a two-month winless run.
What has changed since Atleti and Sevilla last met? For starters, Sevilla has a new manager. On March 23, Matías Almeyda was relieved of his duties and replaced by former Atlético Madrid player Luis García Plaza.
Sevilla, typically strong at the Pizjuán, have the second-worst home record in LALIGA this season, having registered only 16 points and a 4-4-7 record to date. The Nervionenses were 17th last year and haven’t finished higher than 12th since 2022.
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García Plaza won’t be able to count on suspended duo Tanguy Nianzou and José Ángel Carmona; Nianzou picked up a red card against Oviedo while Carmona is completing a yellow card cycle after he was booked against the same opponent last weekend. Marcão and César Azpilicueta will be out injuries.
If you’re attending the match, expect temperatures in the mid-60s and rain.
Team news
Cholo Simeone’s most-used outfield player went down 30 minutes into the game at the Camp Nou and then left the stadium on crutches. In a big blow to the coach, Marca reports that Dávid Hancko could be out both for the second leg against Barça and the Copa del Rey final against Real Sociedad in eight days.
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José María Giménez’s injury and Marc Pubill’s suspension for the second leg against Barcelona will be on Simeone’s mind here in addition to Hancko’s injury. We could see Robin Le Normand or Clément Lenglet partner Pubill at the Pizjuán.
Simeone strongly suggested that several B team and academy players will feature on Saturday, in part due to the numerous injuries that continue to plague the first team. Pablo Barrios and Johnny Cardoso remain out of full team training, while Jan Oblak is being slowly re-introduced back into the group. Rodri Mendoza is back and should be expected to feature, if not start, against Sevilla.
While the match does not have high stakes for Atlético, this should be an exciting opportunity for supporters to see the future of the club and also for players like Álex Baena and Thiago Almada to try to find some form for important matches ahead.
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Historical matchup
Atlético Madrid hold a 69–54–50 all-time record against Sevilla in LALIGA. In their last 10 league meetings, Los Colchoneros have a 7-1-2 record against Sevilla. Atlético won the reverse fixture 3-0 back in November at the Metropolitano. Almada, Antoine Griezmann and Julián Alvarez scored in the second half of that match.
Prediction: 1-3 with a hat trick from Sørloth. Akor Adams scores for Sevilla.
Possible 11: Musso; Boñar, Pubill, Dani Martínez, Julio Díaz; Obed Vargas, Morcillo, Mendoza, Almada; Baena, Sørloth.
Notable players who have represented both clubs
Saúl Ñíguez, César Azpilicueta, Éver Banega, José Antonio Reyes, Kévin Gameiro, Vitolo and Diego Pablo Simeone.