Atlético de Madrid has started 2025 with a slight downturn, especially in the league championship where they have secured only one victory. The red-and-whites have fallen to third position after FC Barcelona's victory against Rayo Vallecano, positioning themselves as the new leader of the standings. Additionally, bad news has also emerged within the squad, as Koke will be out for three to four weeks, according to MARCA yesterday.
The Atlético captain, who was accumulating many minutes in recent matches, was expected to start as a starter in this Saturday's clash against Valencia at Mestalla. Now, Simeone will have to build an almost unprecedented midfield, as he will also not be able to count on Pablo Barrios, who is suspended after his expulsion. The only one who seems certain for the midfield is Rodrigo de Paul, chosen by the fans as the team's best player last January.
A High-Level Replacement for Koke
The situation in the engine room, at least for the match at Mestalla, is very critical, needing to recompose a reliable line-up this week. Rodrigo de Paul is a fixture in the double pivot, as is Samuel Lino on the left and Giuliano Simeone on the right, leaving two options. The first is Marcos Llorente, accustomed in his career to playing in the midfield and who already occupied that position against Bayer Leverkusen.
The other alternative is Conor Gallagher, who has lost prominence in recent weeks thanks to the good level shown by Samuel Lino. It would be a golden opportunity for the English international, who could occupy a position he knows better than the left wing, his usual position. Both options could also coincide alongside Rodrigo de Paul, although that would require a change of formation against Valencia.
The Most Demanding Month for Simeone
Starting this Saturday, a schedule will begin that could decide Atlético de Madrid's future in their quest to win a title. After visiting Mestalla, the first leg of the Copa del Rey against FC Barcelona will arrive, and in the following weeks, the round of 16 of the Champions League. In this regard, the draw will take place this Friday, once the preliminary round concludes in which big teams are fighting for survival in the continental tournament.
Therefore, it is essential for Simeone to have the entire squad at his disposal, as rotations will be crucial at this point in the season. Koke is the only injured player, but there are players like Rodrigo Riquelme or Thomas Lemar who need to start contributing to distribute minutes among everyone. It won't be an easy path, but the excitement is at an all-time high at the Metropolitano to stay in the fight.