Atlético Madrid have work to do as we turn our backs on the March international break and welcome in the last 10 games of this La Liga season. Following FC Barcelona's rescheduled 3-0 win over CA Osasuna on Thursday, los Rojiblancos sit in third place, seven points behind the league leaders, desperately needing to make up ground before it's too late.
Saturday sees Diego Simeone's Atlético (16-8-4, 56 points) travel northeast to Catalan territories to play RCD Espanyol (7-7-13, 28 points). Los péricos find themselves in a congested part of the league table; they sit 15th, but only a point above the drop zone. Although they have the supposed comfort of a game in hand over their relegation rivals, they will be looking to do as CD Leganés did against Atleti earlier this year.
On face value, Colchonero fans likely expect a routine victory, but the last three meetings between the sides have all resulted in draws. Going further back, Atlético have only managed four wins in their last 11 encounters with Espanyol (just one of those wins coming at the RCDE Stadium). This is not a club to be underestimated — they sit seventh in the all-time La Liga table, and their fans can create a decent atmosphere in their 40,000-seat stadium.
Team news
Although “partido a partido” as ever, Simeone will definitely have an eye on Wednesday’s crucial Copa del Rey semi-final second leg against Barça — perhaps the last chance Atlético have of winning a trophy this campaign.
With 10 first team players returning from duty with their national teams, it is likely some will be rested, or at least given fewer minutes. Madrid-based newspaper Marca believes Argentine duo Julián Álvarez and Rodrigo De Paul could be left out of Saturday's starting eleven.
FBL-WC-2026-SAMERICA-QUALIFIERS-ARG-BRA Julián and De Paul starred in their country's 4-1 win over Brazil.
As usual, Pablo Barrios is expected to start in the midfield, and replacing De Paul could be Conor Gallagher. The Englishman has played second (and even third) fiddle for much of the season, but as returning-international Nahuel Molina is unlikely to start, it means Marcos Llorente will need to occupy the right-back spot and is therefore unable to play in the center.
Julián's replacement would have to be Alexander Sørloth, fresh from scoring two goals in two matches for Norway. With Ángel Correa suspended, the frontline options have been thinned, and the chances of seeing Rodrigo Riquelme make a rare substitute appearance as a second striker are increased.
One player seemingly exempt from fatigue is Giuliano Simeone. Just days after scoring his first senior international goal, the perpetual right-sided midfielder is expected to start against Espanyol. Samu Lino is likely to begin on the opposite flank.
In defence, Robin Le Normand is presumed to be favoured over José María Giménez to partner Clément Lenglet, due to the significant difference in time and distance between their previous matches played with their national teams. Spaniard Le Normand played just a few hundred kilometres away from Madrid in Valencia last Sunday, whereas the Uruguay captain played nearly 9,000kms away in El Alto, Bolivia on Tuesday.
And now, ladies and gentlemen, we welcome you to the latest episode of the Atlético de Madrid production "Who is least likely to balls up at left-back?" Lamine Yamal awaits his red and white victim for the fourth time this season on Wednesday; so, whoever that is, will probably rest against Espanyol. Last time out, Reinildo did an almost-perfect job at keeping the teenager at bay (until Barça put four past us), and he was also one of the last internationals to return to training.
That could pave the way for Javi Galán to feature against Espanyol or, as rehearsed in Friday's training, César Azpilicueta. Atleti are becoming increasingly linked to summer reinforcements in the position, hopefully resulting in a team without such a gaping weakness.
Predicted lineup
Oblak; Llorente, Le Normand, Lenglet, Azpilicueta; Giuliano Simeone, Gallagher, Barrios, Lino; Griezmann, Sørloth.