Atletico Madrid has no choice but to focus on the future in their remaining matches this season. Aside from saying goodbye to Griezmann—a legend forever—this Sunday’s home game marks the last at the Metropolitano, and all that’s left is to think about tomorrow. Next season at Atletico has already begun, and several players are fighting for their place in these final games.
Names like Obed Vargas and Rodrigo Mendoza have found themselves in Simeone’s lineups due to a wave of injuries: Gimenez and Nahuel were the latest casualties, Gimenez with a high-grade ankle sprain against Celta, and Nahuel with a hamstring muscle injury. They join Giuliano, Julian, Nico, Barrios, and Cardoso, whose ankle injury will require surgery. The absence of the latter two has opened the door for Vargas and Mendoza. Baena is also suspended.
The situation differs for the two winter signings. Mendoza (21) arrived ahead of Vargas (20), but now the roles have reversed. Simeone considers Mendoza still raw. Despite undeniable class, he lacks incisiveness and needs to improve without the ball and defensively—two red flags for Cholo. Before his ankle sprain on March 7 in the league match against Real Madrid, he featured regularly (248 minutes), but since then his involvement has faded. Against Celta on Saturday, for example, he didn’t play at all.
Vargas, however, played. The Mexican international has seized his chance, with an unexpected emergence backed by performances like the one at Mestalla, where he impressed with physical pressing and spatial awareness. He now has 509 minutes to Mendoza’s 454. In El Sadar, with a midweek fixture and Simeone planning heavy rotations focused on the future, both will start. Only one will remain in the squad next season.
In the fight for the Copa del Rey and a Champions League final berth, the coach left La Liga in the hands of his B team… and Torres’ youngsters. These young players are not only fighting to return the Madrileno to Segunda but also taking opportunities with the first team. They are the future too. Boñar has played three games, all as a starter, totaling 270 minutes with a debut goal. Julio has four starts, 312 minutes, and one assist.
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Cubo has played two games (48 minutes), neither as a starter, but also scored on his debut and showed promising minutes, like on Saturday against Celta, with chances and bite. All three could start tonight as Atletico only play for the future against an Osasuna side still needing points, five above the relegation zone and three from European spots. El Sadar is their lucky charm: only three defeats in 17 home games this season (nine wins). Atletico’s away form has been weak, winning only five.
Referee: José Luis Guzmán Mansilla
Stadium: El Sadar
TV: Movistar LaLiga
Standings:
Athletic Bilbao 44 pts (35 games), Rayo Vallecano 43, Osasuna 42, Valencia 42, Sevilla 40.
Real Madrid 77, Villarreal 69, Atletico Madrid 63, Betis 54, Celta 50.
Top scorers: Ante Budimir (Osasuna) 17, Sorloth (Atletico) 12.
Goalkeeper saves: Herrera 110, Oblak 64.
Total assists: Ruben Garcia 38, Julian Alvarez 47.
Fouls committed: Catena 44, Rodrigo Mendoza 29.
Fouls received: Aimar Oroz 58, Giuliano 40.
Red cards: Asier Osambela 1, Sorloth 1.
Yellow cards: Catena 10, Rodrigo Mendoza 6.
Possession recoveries: Herrera 276, Oblak 237.
Passes per game: Catena 47.7, Koke 51.9.