Simeone criticizes LaLiga as Atlético Madrid take on Las Palmas

Atlético de Madrid expect to get back on track in LaLiga and cement themselves in the top four with three points against visitors Las Palmas on Sunday afternoon.

A rare early kickoff time will see Atlético Madrid (5-5-1, 20 points) chasing just their third win from their last eight matches, with a Copa del Rey opening-round win over UE Vic in midweek not doing much to ease concerns about the competitiveness and identity of this Atlético team.

Photo by Manuel Queimadelos/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

Las Palmas (2-3-6, 9 points) could be the salvo that Los Rojiblancos are looking for. Atlético have won their last four home meetings against this opposition – including a 5-0 defeat in February. However, Los Amarillos have won back-to-back games as they try to escape the relegation places under new manager Diego Martínez; There are still concerns over their defence, which has conceded 19 goals so far.

“We have a tough game (on Sunday) against a team that has improved a lot since the new coach arrived. They are more powerful and I imagine it will be a difficult game with a lot of counter-attacks,” Simeone told reporters on Saturday. “We will try to keep these situations under control during the match and try to secure the victory with the help of our fans, which is crucial.”

Simeone received some positive news on the injury front this week as Pablo Barrios and Clément Lenglet returned to training; both players are ready to start on Sunday. Josema Giménez is expected to return to the XI after an injury scare during Friday’s session, while Giuliano Simeone will keep his place at right wing-back/right wing after an impressive performance against Vic. Alexander Sørloth is likely to return to the bench as El Cholo have their sights set on starting Antoine Griezmann and Julián Alvarez up top.

In other injury news, Marcos Llorente is edging closer to his own return and Robin Le Normand stepped up his recovery from a subdural hematoma he suffered in September’s derby against Real Madrid. But amid all the football talk, the Valencia region continues to deal with the effects of devastating floods that have killed more than 200 people since Tuesday; football goes on anyway, and LaLiga chooses to postpone Villarreal-Rayo Vallecano and Valencia-Real Madrid.

“It makes no sense to play this weekend,” Simeone said. “It’s very difficult to see everything that’s happening (in Valencia), but it excites me to see solidarity and how people help, whether it’s with a shovel or whatever they have. It speaks very well of Spain and its people, we want to help where we can. There are people who are having a very hard time, it’s very sad, but (the league) is telling us to keep going, and here we are.”

Date 3 November 2024

Location Riyadh Air Metropolitano

Kickoff time 13:00 CET, 12:00 pm GMT, 8:00 am ET, 5:00 am PT

TV/streaming available ESPN+ (USA), Movistar+ (Spain)