Atlético de Madrid arrives at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán to face Sevilla with a major shortage in their forward line, lacking any pure number 9 striker. The Colchoneros, who sit fourth in La Liga with six points from two wins, travel this weekend forced to reinvent their attack, as reported by the newspaper Marca.
Manager Diego Simeone has been compelled to do without his offensive references Alexander Sorloth and Julián Álvarez. This situation leaves the team without a traditional '9', a problem El Cholo must solve with ingenuity. To cover these gaps, he has included the youth player known as Cubo in the squad, although the main options to lead the line appear to be others.
Who will lead Atlético's attack?
With their centre-forwards unavailable, Simeone is considering several alternatives to fill this void. Ademola Lookman and Brazilian Giuliano appear best placed to occupy the most advanced positions in the team's setup. However, the manager has other cards up his sleeve.
Players like South Korean Kang-in Lee, Spaniard Álex Baena, or Colombian Jhon Jader Durán are also valid alternatives for Simeone. Even young Arnau Ortiz could get minutes in an unusual role. This variety of profiles offers Cholo tactical flexibility, though it presents a challenge to find the winning combination on such a difficult ground as Sevilla's.
What other issues does the squad have?
The 24-man squad traveling to Sevilla also has significant absences in other areas. In defense, the team will be without Frenchman Robin Le Normand, who is suspended after seeing a red card in the match against Villarreal. His absence weakens the central axis.
In midfield, Thomas Lemar and Obed Vargas are also not part of the traveling party. Both players are close to leaving the club, according to reports, so their immediate future seems far from Atlético. As a reinforcement at the back, recent addition Argentine Cristian Romero is included and could get his chance.
How is Atlético arriving for this match?
The Madrid-based team faces the match in good form, with two wins in their first two league games. Their goal difference is positive, with five goals for and only two against, giving them a +3 differential. In the standings, they are just one point behind leaders Alavés.
This initial run gives them confidence, but the test at the Sánchez-Pizjuán is always tough. The team knows maintaining the pace will require a great collective effort, especially with an improvised attack. Fans can check the team's progress on our stats page throughout the season.
What does this mean for the immediate future?
The lack of pure strikers is not a problem that will disappear quickly. Simeone will have to find solutions within the squad for the upcoming fixtures. The next match on the agenda is a visit to the RCDE Stadium to face Espanyol, currently ninth, on September 6th.
Managing these limited human resources will be key for Atlético to maintain their strong league start. The manager's ability to adapt his system to the available players will be tested. Supporters can follow all the team's planning and lineups in our squad section. The clash against Sevilla represents an early examination of the depth and versatility of this Colchonero team.
