Atletico Madrid News
Official: Atletico Madrid starting lineup against Real Madrid
With their top-four charge in danger, Diego Simeone is ready to go all-out against Real Madrid tonight, and has selected his starting lineup accordingly. After using a 3-5-2 constantly through this season, it seems he has resorted to a 4-4-2.
Jan Oblak starts in goal and is inarguably the biggest gap between Madrid and the goal. He is guarded by a back-four which features Jose Gimenez and Stefan Savic in the heart of the defence, while Sime Vrsaljko takes up the right-back spot.
Captain Koke is part of the double pivot alongside Geoffrey Kondogbia, while Marcos Llorente starts as the wide right-midfielder. His work-rate will be crucial against Rodrygo and Toni Kroos. Yannick Carrasco is deployed on the opposite side of the wide midfield.
Antoine Griezmann makes way for Matheus Cunha, who is starting alongside Angel Correa in the front-two. The two have a combined total of just 16 goals this season, but will need to be at the top of their form against a weakened Madrid side.
Confirmed Atletico XI: Oblak; Vrsaljko, Savic, Gimenez, Reinildo; Llorente, Koke, Kondogbia, Carrasco; Correa, Cunha
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.
