Simeone continues carrying out tests in Majadahonda's training sessions in order to decide which will be his starting team. Usually, there are many rotations in the Colchoneros team after an international break and with such a demanding calendar. Therefore, everything points to the Argentine coach making some changes with respect to the victory against Athletic Club.
Furthermore, it will be an important match for many players who will have a golden opportunity to receive praise from Simeone. One of them is Rodrigo Riquelme , who faces a very difficult season due to having too much competition in the squad. The youth player has already started in some games this season, always in the lane, but he has yet to reach his best level .
Riquelme can return to the lane
One thing that has become clear at the start of the season is that the Spanish player remains a potential wing-back in Simeone 's plans. For the moment, the Atletico manager is betting on placing Rodrigo Riquelme in the defensive line and moving Samuel Lino forward. According to the latest tests, this pair could meet again in the starting line-up , something that would not be a novelty.
Rodrigo Riquelme is facing one of the most difficult seasons of his career, having a hard time settling into a position. Samuel Lino is the undisputed left-back, especially when it comes to decisive matches and against tough opponents. There is also no space up front, a position in which Simeone had placed the academy player in some games last season.
This year, the Colchoneros have up to five attackers, leaving Rodrigo Riquelme without any chance of standing out near the opponent's area. However, he has already shown that he can perform well as a extrem , something that was proven last season. In fact, he was called up to the Spanish national team after finding consistency in the first months of last season.
Reinildo has managed to re-emerge
The Mozambican could start as a substitute against Valencia after getting minutes for his country during this international break. Reinildo suffered a nasty blow with one of the goalposts, leaving him with an open wound that he showed on social media. For the moment, the defender seems to have improved his level compared to last season, earning himself a starting place in the back line.
Simeone has taken advantage of the Mozambican player's versatility, having occupied both the centre-back and left-back positions. Given the lack of high-quality signings, the Argentine coach seems determined to recover Reinildo 's best form this season. Valencia is in a bad moment and it is hoped that the rotations will serve to allow the less habitual players to show that they can compete with the starters.