Atlético de Madrid is set to return to the Metropolitano Stadium on Saturday at 2 p.m. to take on Valencia, following a challenging set of away fixtures that included a mix of results. Atlético (9-4-3, 31 points) is coming off a hard-fought victory in the Champions League midweek and aims to regain its league momentum after suffering back-to-back defeats against Barcelona and Athletic Club.
The stakes are high for Atlético, as they currently trail league leaders Barcelona by nine points, with Espanyol lurking just four points behind and possessing a game in hand. The Rojiblancos are determined to avoid slipping further and need a win against Valencia, who has struggled significantly in recent outings, having secured only one win in their last ten LaLiga matches.
In their last visit to the Metropolitano since its opening in 2017, Valencia has yet to achieve success against Atlético, which adds an additional layer of pressure on Los Che. Valencia’s manager Carlos Corberán faces challenges including the suspension of defender César Tárrega, which will further exacerbate their defensive woes. Although they have struggled throughout the season, the return of Mouctar Diakhaby to training offers a glimmer of hope, as they will need all hands on deck to bolster their defense.
One bright spot for Valencia has been the performance of forward Hugo Duro, who has netted five goals this season, including a standout bicycle kick in the recent Derby against Levante.
On the injury front, Atlético will be without Álex Baena, Marcos Llorente, and José María Giménez for Saturday’s match. However, the return of Clément Lenglet to full training and Johnny Cardoso’s availability following an injury are encouraging signs for the team. The connection between Alexander Sørloth and Julián Alvarez has been vital in creating and converting scoring chances, an aspect that may prove crucial against Valencia.
Historically, Atlético de Madrid has held a favorable record against Valencia, boasting a 67-45-58 all-time standing in LaLiga encounters. In their last 10 league matchups, Atlético has an impressive record of 8 wins, 1 draw, and only 1 loss against Valencia, with the last such victory occurring in 2011. Their most recent meeting ended in a 3-0 victory for Atlético, showcasing the strength of their squad.
With both teams facing their own challenges, this match holds the potential for Atlético de Madrid to turn their season around, providing an optimistic outlook for their supporters as they aim for a decisive victory on home turf.