Celta Vigo vs. Atletico Madrid: Can They Succeed on Fifth Attempt?
Atlético Madrid heads into their LaLiga clash against Celta Vigo at Estadio Abanca Balaídos on Sunday night. The match kicks off at 9 p.m. Atlético aims to secure a place in the top four with a victory.
Celta Vigo vs. Atlético Madrid: Can They Succeed on Fifth Attempt?
Atlético Madrid has emerged victorious in their last three matches. They recently scored five goals against Real Madrid and followed that with another five against Eintracht Frankfurt in the UEFA Champions League. With a record of three wins, three draws, and one loss, Atlético currently sits on 12 points.
Celta Vigo’s Struggles
Celta Vigo, conversely, is struggling this season. Currently in the relegation zone, they have only managed five points from two draws and five losses. Claudio Giráldez’s squad will look to build on their recent win against PAOK in the UEFA Europa League.
- Iago Aspas: A key player at 38 years old.
- Hugo Sotelo: A promising young midfielder.
- Óscar Mingueza: Regarded as one of the best full-backs in the league.
Atlético’s Strong Record at Balaídos
Historically, Atlético has had a solid performance at Balaídos under coach Diego Simeone. They have achieved 10 wins, one draw, and two losses during his tenure. Last season, they secured a narrow 1-0 victory, thanks to Julián Alvarez’s last-minute goal.
Team News and Updates
Atlético is nearly injury-free ahead of the international break. Players not selected for national teams will participate in a friendly against Inter Milan in Libya next Friday. Three players from Atlético have been called up for Spain and are expected to start against Celta.
While key players have returned, such as Dávid Hancko, Thiago Almada and Josema Giménez are still recovering from calf injuries. Alexander Sørloth, who missed the Frankfurt match due to a knock, is likely to feature against Celta. Johnny Cardoso will remain sidelined with an ankle injury.
In the predicted lineup, Atlético will rely on performance leaders like Koke, who is set to appear in his 693rd match. Julián Alvarez, the September player of the month, continues to shine with six goals this season, trailing only Kylian Mbappé in the scoring charts.
Expected Starting XI
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| Goalkeeper | Jan Oblak |
| Defenders | Marcos Llorente, Le Normand, Clément Lenglet, Dávid Hancko |
| Midfielders | Enzo Barrios, Koke, Giuliano |
| Forwards | Nico, Antoine Griezmann, Julián Alvarez |
As the two teams prepare for this crucial matchup, fans await to see if Atlético can continue their winning streak against Celta Vigo in what will be their fifth attempt for success this season.
