After the tough derby against Real Madrid, the Atlético de Madrid you need to change your focus and look for your second win in the group stage of the Champions League. The team of Diego Simeone He arrived in Lisbon with several absences, including that of the central defender Le Normandwho suffered a severe blow to the head during the derby.
His decline, along with those of Azpilicueta and Neighborhoodswill force Simeone to make some adjustments to the starting eleven.
Oblak returns to the house where he grew up
The goalkeeper Jan Oblak will step on the Stadium of Lightwhere he played before joining Atlético in 2014. The defense will suffer the significant loss of Le Normand, which will open the door for Axel Witselwho also has a past at Benfica.
The Belgian will form a line of three centre-backs along with Gimenez and Reinildo. Through the rails, Marcos Llorente and Samuel Lino They will be in charge of providing depth and speed on the wings.
Koke resumes command in the center of the field
In the middle, the captain koke He will lead the team again after having saved the first half of the derby. You will be accompanied by Connor Gallagher and Rodrigo DePaultwo fundamental pieces to balance the pressure and the exit of the ball in a match that is anticipated to be complicated.
Griezmann and Julián Álvarez: the attacking duo
In the front, Griezmann and Julian Alvarez They seem to be Simeone’s preferred option, although Angel Correa He also has options after his great performance in the derby, where he scored the tying goal.
Simeone could choose to use Correa as a catalyst, keeping him on the bench alongside players like Sorloth and Riquelme to shake up the game in the second half.
Probable lineup of Atlético de Madrid against Benfica
Atlético de Madrid
Oblak; Gimenez, Witsel, Reinildo; Marcos Llorente, koke, Gallagher, From Paul, Samuel Lino; Griezmann, Julian Alvarez.
SL Benfica
These will be the players who will start at the Da Luz stadium in Lisbon for the locals:
Trubin; Bah, António Silva, Otamendi, Carreras; Florentino, Aursnes, Orkun Kökçü; Kerem Aktürkolu, Pavlidis, Di María
This match is crucial for Atlético, who will seek to add three vital points to consolidate their position in the group of the Champions League.