Argentine coach Diego Simeone will not be able to count on Koke or Cardoso for the match that Atlético de Madrid faces against Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium this Saturday, according to the last training session in Cornellà. The starters who played on Tuesday against Manchester United were on the field for just half an hour, carrying out gentle work that prioritizes the recovery of the players and the management of the physical load in the face of the demanding schedule that lies ahead.
In today's practice, the eleven was not complete. Koke, who is in the gym recovering from an injury, and Cardoso, who remains unwell, will not be available for the match. With those two players out, the lineup that Simeone will present in Barcelona is still up in the air. Defenders Pablo Barrios and Hjulmand will have a great opportunity to occupy the team's midfield, while midfielder Mendoza could receive minutes, although probably only in the second half, with the aim of controlling his load and ensuring that he is in optimal condition for the upcoming dates.
The midfield could also be reinforced by Llorente, who has been in the reserve group. With Atlético facing Stuttgart on Tuesday, Simeone could decide to change the XI before the afternoon game and, in that case, bring in Pubill and Le Normand in defense, along with Jonathan David or Lookman up front. The absence of the two key players opens a range of options that the coach must carefully evaluate before the match.
With the absence of Koke and Cardoso, Atlético de Madrid will have to rely on the depth of its squad to maintain performance in the central zone of the field. The final decision on the lineup will be made in the minutes before the match, and the result of that choice will be crucial for the team's performance at the RCDE Stadium.