Atlético de Madrid is preparing for its last day of the regular phase before the international break, with a confrontation in the Ciutat de Valencia against Levante. Coach Diego Simeone has decided to include Cuti Romero in the starting lineup, while goalkeeper Koke and central defender Cardoso will be left out of the game. The defense of the Madrid team will be configured with Pubill, Cuti Romero, Hancko and Grimaldo, forming a solid defense that could be expanded to five players if Giuliano is incorporated. Goalkeeper Jan Oblak will continue to be the key piece between the three sticks.
In the midfield, Simeone proposes a tactical novelty: Llorente will occupy the role of double pivot alongside Barrios, leaving the Danish Hjulmand on the bench due to a suspension that prevents him from facing Bayern. The wings will be covered by Giuliano and Baena, while the attack will rely on Julián Álvarez and Jonathan David, both starting after the absence of Canadian Alexander Sorloth in the last match against Deportivo. The eleven of the squad would be like this: Oblak; Pubill, Cuti Romero, Hancko, Grimaldo; Giuliano, Barrios, Llorente, Baena; Julián Álvarez and Jonathan David.
For its part, Levante will have a lineup that is expected to include Ryan in goal, followed by Toljan, Mandi, Ndukwe and Manu Sánchez in defense. In midfield, Thiago Fernández, Olasa, Requena and Brugué will form the transition zone, while the attack will be made up of Ratkov, Iván Romero and the team's main forward. Coach Luis Castro has announced that this will be the starting lineup for the match against Atlético.
The match promises to be decisive for both teams, as Atlético look to consolidate their position in the table before the international break, while Levante try to secure crucial points to improve their standings. With the absence of key players and the introduction of new formations, the day will be a test of the tactical ability of the coaches and the resistance of the players. Fans will be able to see how Simeone adapts his squad in the face of sanction restrictions and how Castro seeks to maximize the performance of his eleven in a duel that could define the course of the season.