Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid superstar set to be rested for FC Porto clash after injury scare
Jan Oblak picked up an injury in Atletico Madrid’s previous La Liga clash against Real Sociedad which was a major cause for concern for Diego Simeone and the Rojiblancos.
The 29-year-old Slovenian superstar is one of Los Colchoneros’ most important players and his being sidelined for a prolonged time would have been a major blow for the club.
However, as reported by AS, Atletico Madrid fans can breathe a sigh of relief as medical tests have shown that the injury to Oblak is nothing serious. However, the Slovenian shot-stopper has some bruisings and will be rested for the upcoming clash against FC Porto.
Atletico Madrid begin their journey in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday night as they welcome Porto to the Civitas Metropolitano for a Group C encounter.
Going into the game without Oblak will be a blow, but the Rojiblancos will be relieved that the 29-year-old’s injury is nothing serious and that he could be ready in time for the weekend La Liga fixture against Celta Vigo.
With Oblak potentially ruled out, 26-year-old Ivo Grbic is expected to start between the sticks for Atleti on Wednesday against the Portuguese champions. He only has made two appearances for Simeone’s side so far, with his La Liga debut coming this past weekend versus Sociedad.
However, the Croatian has played six times in the Champions League when he was on loan at LOSC Lille last season.
Apart from Oblak, Atletico Madrid will also be without Felipe, who is suspended for the game after his sending-off last season against Manchester City. Stefan Savic and Matheus Cunha are also injury doubts while new signing Sergio Reguilon is also set to miss out.
Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid midfielder on the derby against Real Madrid: “Very difficult to beat them”
Following a 1-1 draw in their Champions League opener against Lazio, Atletico Madrid will shift all their attention to La Liga, as they brace themselves for the derby against Real Madrid this weekend.
Heading into this game, Atleti midfielder Marcos Llorente spoke about Real Madrid’s quality and Atletico Madrid’s chances of squeezing all three points from this iconic derby.
Llorente on Madrid derby
“The sensations are good. The team is very good, the other day we played a great game despite ending up drawing. I really think that the team did a great job that must be maintained for this match,” Llorente said in an interview with Diario AS.
When asked whether or not Real Madrid being tagged as favourites could aid Atleti, the midfielder said, “Honestly, it neither motivates me nor demotivates me. We simply have to do what we work on during the week, what the coach asks of us.”
Llorente stressed the importance of the game, adding, “It is a great rival we have in front of us, they are having a very good start to the season and that motivates me and everyone to try to play a good game.”
“Real Madrid is a great club, they have great players and it is very difficult to beat them. I think we have competed, we have also achieved several draws, but in the end, either you go out one hundred percent and do things very, very well or it is difficult to beat them,” he added.
A former member of the Real Madrid youth academy, Llorente joined Atletico Madrid in 2019. Since then, he has racked up over 150 competitive appearances for Los Colchoneros.
Llorente, though, said he feels no sense of vindication when he performs well against his former team.
“No. In the end, it’s been many years since I left there and I’m at Atlético. Perhaps in the first years, those types of feelings and sensations can arise, but today they no longer do,” he said.
Llorente on Vinicius, Koke & Bellingham
The Atletico Madrid star went on to talk about other aspects of the game, including the fact that his team had one less player every time they faced Real Madrid last season.
“I have zero worries. These are things that are not in our remit, that escape our hands. We play football, the referees referee and those who have to decide decide,” he said.
Llorente, in fact, said that the return of Koke could be a real boost for Atleti. “It is always good that Koke is with us, both on the field and in the day-to-day life of the game,” he said.
“Beyond the grass. The support he gives, the advice he gives us, his experience. it is always important to have him and it is great news that he is already training with us,” he added.
Talking about the absence of Vinicius Junior and the form of Jude Bellingham, Llorente said, “Well, you have to be careful with everyone. All Real Madrid players are very good and can make a difference at any moment of the game. Bellingham is having a great start and we have to take that into account and be very focused.”
Finally, Marcos Llorente put out a message for all the Atletico Madrid fans, claiming their support ahead of this crucial encounter this weekend.
“It will be a full house as always. We don’t have to tell them anything, they know the importance of this match for Atlético, we know that they never fail, they are always supporting us and we count on them,” he said.
