Injury stuck once again
Jose Maria Gimenez has picked up the first-grade injury to his right thigh and could be sidelined for up to two weeks. The Uruguayan limped off the pitch in the first half of Atletico Madrid’s 1-0 victory over Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday and was replaced by Mario Hermoso. Gimenez could miss Atleti’s next three games against Athletic Club, Alavesand Sevila, while he will attempt to be back and fully fit for the second game against the German side on November 6.
The man – Diego Simeone
There was a bit of a division in the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano, as some sang Diego Simeone’s name and were met with the response of whistles. It seems amazing that there could be a civil war over Simeoneat Atleti, but there seems to be one.
In a game that came down to the finest of margins, Simeone’s substitutes produced the trick for him as the Rojiblancos took a major step towards qualification to the knockout stage. Lemar added some much-needed energy from the wings and Atleti looked more threatening since his introduction. Morata, on the other hand, produced the most decisive moment of the game as his header from Lodi’s inch-perfect ball led to the opening goal of the game.
Something about Defence
It was a summer of change for Atletico Madrid as the likes of Diego Godin, Lucas Hernandez, Filipe Luis etc departed the club among others. The Spanish giants, in response signed Renan Lodi from Athletico Paranaense and Kieran Trippier from Tottenham Hotspur. They have already secured their respective spots in first eleven.
