Atlético de Madrid will be visited by a Valencia CF that will be somewhat weakened after the absences and some off-field incidents. The case of Rafa Mir has hit hard in the city of Turia, and it is expected that the forward will not be called up against the red-and-whites next Sunday in Madrid. The Murcian will not be in the starting line-up due to a technical decision, as will Hugo Duro , who has a long-term injury.
As if that were not enough, Rubén Baraja already knows that Diego Pablo Simeone is considering giving the player who worries him the most a place in the starting eleven. It is Ángel Correa , who has just scored a historic goal in San Mamés , which saved the day for the Colchoneros. He is particularly good at dueling with the Valencians, and the Valladolid boss knows this, so he is thinking about how to counteract him.
Diego Simeone has to do some tests during the week, in addition to having some players absent for international play. It would not be surprising if the Argentine, who scored the decisive goal in Bilbao and has worked with him during this international break, plays. Something that Cholo Simeone does is give minutes to the players he keeps with so they can work on them during the breaks.
Duo with Julian
The Rosario striker could form an attack with Julián Álvarez and Antoine Griezmann , in the case of the former, it would be his first start for Atlético . They have coincided on the pitch at Villarreal and four times with the Argentine national team. As starters they have never been together on the pitch, so it could be the perfect occasion.
It would not be surprising if he reserves Antoine Griezmann, thinking about next Thursday's match against RB Leipzig . The red-and-whites are starting their journey in the top European competition and Diego Simeone knows that he must take precautions. The Argentine is aware that his compatriot worries the Valencians, so it is a card to play.
Correa decisive against Valencia
Ángel Correa has played 15 matches against the Mestalla side, scoring five goals and providing two assists in total. His first goal against the Valencians was in 17/18 when they beat the Valencians 1-0 at the Metropolitano. He repeated the feat in the first matchday of 18/19 at the black-and-white stadium, in a 1-1 draw with an assist from Griezmann .
That same season ended up deciding one of the most even duels in recent years between both teams. He took a shot from outside the area that went in just off Neto Murara 's post, giving Atlético de Madrid a 3-2 lead. His other two goals came in the 20/21 League season, sentencing a match that had become difficult with goals from the Portuguese Joao Félix and the Uruguayan Luis Suárez.
The last goal he scored against the Ches was also important, as Valencia were winning 0-2 at the Metropolitano at half-time. Matheus Cunha pulled one back andCorrea then equalised for the red-and-whites, who ended up winning in stoppage time. A goal from Mario Hermoso unleashed madness among the Madrid fans, Ángel Correa has not stood out in his last three matches against the black and whites.