Atlético to host Leganés in front of reduced home crowd.

2024-10-14

As Atlético Madrid aim to reinvigorate their campaign with a home victory against Leganés, the Mattress Makers hope fresh legs and strategic prowess will break their three-game winless spell while welcoming a city rival struggling away from home, amidst a partially restricted crowd at the Metropolitano.

Atlético Madrid

Atlético [WDWDD] will hope their return from the international break brings good tidings, after failing to record a win in their last three games in all competitions, including a 1-1 draw against Real Sociedad last time out. Julián Alvarez’s strike [1’] barely a minute into the game was canceled out by Luka Sučić’s effort [84’] six minutes from stoppage time, as the Mattress Makers settled for their fifth draw of the La Liga season.

‘I'll stick with the positive things about the defense,’ Diego Simeone said after the draw, despite his team’s failure to hold on for the win. Atlético will now reconvene in front of a reduced home crowd this weekend as they welcome Leganés for their match-week 10 La Liga encounter, following crowd trouble in their last home league game.

An initial three-game partial closure of the Metropolitano has now been reduced to one after an appeal, with the restriction set to take effect on Sunday. Despite this development, Atlético will look to secure maximum points this weekend.

Atlético have won three of all their four home league encounters [3W, 1D, 0L] against Leganés and will be looking to do so once again. One of just two teams yet to suffer defeat in La Liga this season, Atlético currently sits in third place, four points behind second-placed Real Madrid, heading into this clash.

Having announced his retirement from the French national team a couple of weeks back, Antoine Griezmann played no part in international football during the break. The 33-year-old attacker would be returning with fresh legs and could start in attack alongside Julián Alvarez in a 3—5—2 formation.

Meanwhile, Robin Le Normand remains sidelined for the clash against his former side, due to a head injury.

Leganés

Meanwhile, Leganés kept their form sharp during the break with a 3-1 win against Valladolid in a friendly match. This victory stands as their only win in the last six outings.

Indeed, Los Pepineros have struggled in their recent competitive fixtures, failing to secure a win in their last five games. Following two losses, they have recorded three consecutive draws [LLDDD], including a goalless draw against Valencia in their last league match.

Currently in 17th place in the standings, Borja Jiménez's men are set to travel across town for their La Liga encounter against Atlético Madrid. They hope to pick up three points despite having lost four of their last six away games [1W, 2D, 4L] against Atlético in all competitions.

Sébastien Haller is expected to lead the attack as Jiménez likely employs their familiar 4-2-3-1 formation.