Atlético grabs onto the Cup to save the year

Outside of Europe, without options for the League title and absent in the Super Cup that will begin on the 11th, Atlético de Madrid faces this Wednesday at the Tartiere against Oviedo the round of 32 of the Copa del Rey, the only tournament they cling to the rojiblancos to save the year. Almost a decade has passed since Atlético won their last Cup in 2013 and, after the failures of recent seasons against Girona, Cultural Leonesa or Cornellà, the colchoneros have no margin for error against a ‘second’ as it is Oviedo, now seven points from relegation in its category but who dreams of giving the bell in the KO competition after eliminating Granada.

«It is being a season from regular to bad and we need to improve and grow. We are with enthusiasm and with the illusion of continuing to advance in the Cup, because the League will be complex and difficult, “Diego Pablo Simeone, described by Álvaro Cervera, Oviedo coach, acknowledged on Tuesday as” a benchmark from which to learn many things “. now that the Argentine coach is so questioned at Atlético.

“We imagine a game worked and competed against an opponent that has a solid, strong defense, with two experienced forwards and people who work well on the wings,” said Simeone, who aims for an eleven with hardly any reservations among those available. and with an attack made up of Griezmann and Morata. The Oviedo coach, however, amidst complaints about the competition system and having little rest, is more concerned about Saturday’s match against Andorra and will do without many of the regulars in the league championship against Atlético.

Without Joao Felix

Although Tartiere, with a full line-up, will exert pressure to try to complicate Atlético’s cup continuity and encourage Oviedo to achieve the feat, the rojiblancos are far superior and should confirm their favoritism in this new single-match tie that will be marked by the efficiency in front of goal. For this, Atlético has Griezmann and Morata, although not with Joao Félix, whose future, in the form of a loan or transfer, Simeone hopes will be resolved “as soon as possible, because tranquility is important for footballers, representatives and coaches”. . The Argentine also took the opportunity to throw a dart at Jorge Mendes: «The representatives are surely very important in this. to take advantage of the situation.”