Atletico Madrid News
Official: Atletico Madrid starting lineup to face Real Madrid
Atletico Madrid have named their starting XI for the derby against Real Madrid at the Civitas Metropolitano. And in a huge surprise, Antoine Griezmann has been handed his first start of the season.
It is no secret that Atletico have been regulating his minutes to avoid paying his €40 million permanent purchase fee, but Diego Simeone has thrust the Frenchman into the starting XI against their neighbours.
Griezmann partners with Joao Felix up top for the Rojiblancos, with former Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata left out on the bench, along with Matheus Cunha and Angel Correa.
Geoffrey Kondogbia also gets a rare start in the middle of the park. He is partnered by Rodrigo de Paul and Atletico Madrid captain Koke in midfield, with the latter now becoming the player with the joint-highest number of appearances for Los Colchoneros.
Yannick Carrasco lines up as the left-sided wing-back and will provide a key attacking outlet for the hosts, while ex-Real Madrid ace Marcos Llorente gets the nod on the opposite flank, ahead of new signing Nahuel Molina.
Felipe, Axel Witsel and Reinildo Mandava make up the three-man backline for Atleti, that will guard Jan Oblak in goal. The Slovenian international makes a return to the lineup after missing the last two matches with an injury.
¡Los 11 rojiblancos que defenderán nuestros colores esta noche! 🙌🔴⚪ pic.twitter.com/hX2gX3pB0x
— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) September 18, 2022
Confirmed Atletico Madrid XI: Oblak, Felipe, Witsel, Reinildo, Llorente, de Paul, Kondogbia, Koke, Carrasco, Felix, Griezmann.
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.
