Atletico Madrid News
Official: Atletico Madrid starting lineup against FC Porto
Atletico Madrid have named their starting XI for their first UEFA Champions League match of the 2022/23 campaign against FC Porto.
The big news for Los Rojiblancos ahead of the game at the Civitas Metropolitano is that Jan Oblak is fit and starting in goal after a minor injury scare over the weekend.
The Slovenian goalkeeper is shielded by the back three of Jose Maria Gimenez, Axel Witsel and Reinildo Mandava while new signing Nahuel Molina and Yannick Carrasco occupy the wing-back slots on the right and left sides, respectively.
Captain Koke will marshal the midfield area with support from Marcos Llorente and Saul Niguez, meaning there is no space in the lineup for Geoffrey Kondogbia yet again. Rodrigo de Paul also finds himself on the bench.
Joao Felix and Alvaro Morata, who have started the new campaign on a strong note, continue in attack for Atletico Madrid against FC Porto. Antoine Griezmann is again on the bench and will likely be introduced after the 60th-minute mark, as has been norm this season.
👥 ¡Nuestro 1⃣1⃣ titular! pic.twitter.com/fxvJ7vO7og
— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) September 7, 2022
Confirmed Atletico Madrid XI: Oblak, Molina, Gimenez, Witsel, Reinildo, Carrasco, Llorente, Koke, Saul, Morata, Felix.
Atletico Madrid News
Atletico Madrid, Chelsea contact PSG midfielder’s agent with player set to leave
Atletico Madrid and Chelsea are among the clubs that have made contact with the agent of PSG midfielder Leandro Paredes, who is set to leave this summer.
This claim comes from journalist Martin Arevalo on ESPN, who states that apart from Atletico and Chelsea, an unnamed third club have also established contact with the Argentine international’s representative.
Paredes has been on PSG’s books since January 2019, when he arrived from Zenit St. Petersburg. For a large part of his time at the French capital outfit, the midfielder had been a regular starter in the side.
However, last summer saw Paredes get shipped out on loan to Juventus. He has played 33 times for the Bianconeri this season with a return of one goal and assist apiece.
The Serie A heavyweights, who were recently hit with a 10-point deduction, have the option to purchase him permanently. But, as per the report, his relationship with manager Massimiliano Allegri is not good and a return to PSG is on the cards.
And considering that he is not in the plans back at Parc des Princes either, a permanent departure away seems set in stone for Paredes.
As such, Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, and an unnamed club have shown interest in acquiring his services by making contact with the 28-year-old World Cup winner’s agent.
With Koke entering the final phase of his career and Geoffrey Kondogbia expected to leave at the end of the season, the Rojiblancos could do with reinforcements in the centre of the park.
Paredes, who has plenty of experience at the highest level and is known for his aggressive mentality, can be a good fit into Diego Simeone’s setup at the Civitas Metropolitano.
But, with Chelsea also in the picture, things could get tricky for the Colchoneros. After all, Atleti are operating on tight finances and are looking for bargain and free transfer signings in the market with the likes of Marcus Thuram, Jordi Alba, and Raphael Guerreiro emerging as targets.
