Diego Simeone has set his Atletico Madrid starting eleven for the clash against Sevilla FC this Saturday, August 29th at the Sanchez Pizjuan stadium. The Argentine manager has opted for several new faces in his lineup, as reported by Mundo Deportivo on Friday.
The Colchoneros arrive at the match in a strong league position, sitting fourth in La Liga with six points from two wins in their opening two games. Their goal difference stands at +3, having scored five and conceded two, which places them just one point behind leaders Alaves.
What is Atletico's starting lineup?
Jan Oblak will start in goal. The defensive line consists of Marcos Llorente, Marc Pubill, David Hancko, and Alejandro Grimaldo. Llorente and Alex Baena are the standout new additions, as both are making their first starts of the season.
In midfield, Simeone has chosen Morten Hjulmand and Pablo Barrios as the two starting pivot players. Competition for these spots was fierce during the preparation week. In attack, Kang-In Lee will partner Ademola Lookman up front, a decision made with a very narrow margin over other options.
Who is on the substitutes' bench?
The team has a list of twelve substitutes for this fixture. The backup goalkeeper is Juan Musso. Defensive options from the bench include Jose Maria Gimenez, 'Cuti' Romero, and Dani Martinez.
In midfield, Jorge Dominguez, Johnny Cardoso, and captain Koke Resurreccion are available. For the forward line, Simeone can call upon Carlos Martin, Javi Castillo, Arnau Ortiz, and Miguel Cubo. This squad depth will be important in what is expected to be a demanding match.
What is the context for the match?
The encounter represents a significant early-season test for both teams. Sevilla hosts an Atletico side showing solid form at the start of the campaign, with two consecutive wins in their recent record.
For the red-and-whites, maintaining this positive streak is the clear objective. A victory at the difficult Sevillian fortress would allow them to keep pace with Alaves at the top of the table. You can follow the standings on our standings page.
What comes next for Atletico?
Regardless of the result in Seville, the schedule offers no respite. The team's next appointment is on Sunday, September 6th, when they visit Espanyol at the Cornellà-El Prat stadium.
The Periquitos currently occupy ninth place, making it another challenging away fixture. The coaching staff's planning will already have one eye on that confrontation. Fans can view the full schedule on our fixtures page.
Simeone's squad selection reveals his intentions for a key match. With several new faces in the starting eleven, he is looking for freshness and impact in a traditionally tough venue. The performance of the new starters, especially in an arena like the Pizjuan, will set the tone for the afternoon.
