Simeone seems to have it clear: total consensus in the press on Atlético's XI

Atlético de Madrid

The big news would be up front. Despite the return of Julián Álvarez to the squad and the arrival of Jonathan David, everything points to neither of them starting. Cholo would stick with the formula used against Sevilla, with Álex Baena and Kang-in Lee acting as offensive references and plenty of movement ahead of the midfield line.

The match will be played this Saturday at San Mamés, at 16:15, as part of the fourth round of competition. The Atlético de Madrid side arrives after beating Sevilla 1-3 at the Sánchez-Pizjuán, a game in which the rojiblanco team produced one of its best performances of the start of the season.

Sevilla's XI gains momentum

The defence appears to be one of the areas with the fewest doubts. Jan Oblak would be in goal, with Marcos Llorente, Marc Pubill, Dávid Hancko and Álex Grimaldo forming the back line. No major changes are expected in midfield either, where Pablo Barrios and Morten Hjulmand have settled into a trusted partnership for Simeone.

On the flanks Giuliano Simeone and Ademola Lookman would return, while the main particularity would again be the absence of a pure centre-forward. Kang-in Lee and Álex Baena would have the freedom to move across the entire attacking line, swap positions and attack the spaces in the Athletic Club defence.

The injury absence of Alexander Sorloth reduces one of the attacking options, although Simeone again has Julián Álvarez at his disposal and also the newly arrived Jonathan David. The expectation, however, is that both will start the match from the bench and can become important resources in the second half.

Unanimity in the press

AS goes for Oblak; Marcos Llorente, Pubill, Hancko, Grimaldo; Giuliano, Barrios, Hjulmand, Lookman; Kang-in Lee and Baena. The Madrid paper believes Simeone will continue with the block that worked against Sevilla, initially leaving Julián Álvarez and Jonathan David on the bench.

MARCA matches the same structure and points to an XI made up of Oblak; Marcos Llorente, Pubill, Hancko, Grimaldo; Giuliano, Hjulmand, Barrios, Lookman; Kang-in Lee and Baena. Simeone has worked during the week with this group, strengthening the possibility of repeating the team from the previous match almost player for player.

Mundo Deportivo also backs Oblak; Marcos Llorente, Pubill, Hancko, Grimaldo; Giuliano, Hjulmand, Barrios, Lookman; Kang-in Lee and Baena. The Catalan outlet likewise expects an Atletico side without a pure centre-forward to start, with Julián Álvarez and Jonathan David waiting for their chance from the bench.

Therefore, this time there is practically absolute unanimity among the sports press. Simeone seems ready to reward the performance of the team that beat Sevilla and stick with a mobile attack led by Baena and Kang-in, leaving a significant amount of firepower to change the game from the bench.