Griezmann back as Atletico face Inter challenge in crunch week
Atletico Madrid host Champions League runners-up Inter Milan on Wednesday boosted by key player Antoine Griezmann's likely return from injury.
Diego Simeone's side stumbled 1-0 in Milan in February in the last 16 first leg clash, with Griezmann spraining his ankle at the San Siro.
The French forward missed four games since, of which Atletico have won only once, but has returned to training and Spanish media say he is set to feature in the second leg.
Struggling Atletico face an uphill climb against the runaway Serie A leaders after Marko Arnautovic netted the only goal on Simeone's return to Italy to face one of his former teams from his playing days.
The Rojiblancos also have Spanish champions Barcelona's visit on the horizon on Sunday in La Liga, where Athletic Bilbao are battling to overtake them in fourth place.
Atletico were ousted from the Copa del Rey by Athletic and despite a strong start to the season, are 14 points behind bitter rivals and current league leaders Real Madrid.
Perhaps with one eye -- or even two -- on the Champions League, Atletico fell to a dismal 2-0 defeat at lowly Cadiz on Saturday.
It was the Andalucians' first victory in 17 matches and first in La Liga since September.
Despite the woeful performance Simeone backed his men ahead of the Inter clash.
"I feel that the team is giving everything and it's me that is not finding the right way," said the coach.
"I'll go to the death with the players because I know what they can give, I know they can do big things, and I will keep working with them."
Simeone's last chance of silverware this season lies in Europe and the coach will be grateful for Griezmann's potential return.
The 32-year-old forward has 18 goals in 36 appearances across all competitions this season.
Atletico are also boosted by their strong home record. At the Metropolitano stadium they have won 18 of 20 matches this season across all competitions, tumbling just once -- against Athletic in the cup.
Their fans usually create a raucous atmosphere on big nights and the game is tipped to set a new record attendance at the 70,000 seater stadium.
Simeone has doubts in defence as none of his regulars are in good form with the exception of Axel Witsel.
New arrival Gabriel Paulista made errors against Cadiz, while Reinildo Mandava has not been at his best after a long injury lay-off.
"We have to reset and prepare well for the game against Inter on Wednesday," said Witsel after the humbling by the Yellow Submarine.
"There is no time for words, we have to focus on our work and play well against Inter."
(责任编辑:资讯)
- We Bought the Cheapest DDR5 RAM Modules We Could Find, Are They Any Good?
- By a technicality, August's full moon is blue. Here's why.
- 9 Festive Holiday Treats and Where to Find Them
- North Korea says it conducted important test to develop multiple warhead missile
- Tesla Robotaxis aren't coming in August, it seems
- Where to pre
- Tesla Robotaxis aren't coming in August, it seems
- The Weird, Wonderful World of Water Towers
- Webb telescope just snapped image of huge black hole gobbling material
- We Asked GPT Some Tech Questions, Can You Tell Which Answers Are Human?
- The Future of Tech: The Desktop PC
- “笋货”上市采购旺!清远西牛麻竹笋迎秋季尝鲜热
- 21 Unexpected Wonders in Colorado’s Vibrant Cities and Small Towns
-
GPU Mining is Dead, Where are my Cheap GPUs?
Let's talk GPU prices and this month's update is very interesting because of two key factors: the fi ...[详细] -
Trump won't stop making a deceptive bird claim. Experts debunk it.
Billions of birds are likely killed in the U.S. each year — but contrary to popular claims, wi ...[详细] -
Pope says England are not 'one
MANCHESTER:England stand-in captain Ollie Pope said the team's cautious but successful run-chase ...[详细] -
How much for Oasis tickets? Fans joke about splurging on reunion shows
Oasis, one of the biggest bands ever, broke up for 15 years because of a longtime feud between broth ...[详细] -
Best tablet deals as of August 27
UP TO 40% OFF: As of August 27, you can get up to 40% off select tablets at Amazon and Best Buy. Our ...[详细] -
味道真系正!怀集食材邂逅顺德厨艺_南方+_南方plus借顺德区举办第46届国际龙家具展览会和第36届亚洲国际家具材料博览会之机,8月19日,怀集县联合顺德区在龙江镇S-Park体育公园举办“怀集味道· ...[详细]
-
Ruling bloc divided on foreign nannies' pay
A hundred Filipina domestic helpers arrive at Incheon Airport on Aug. 6. (Pool photo via Yonhap)Sout ...[详细] -
Update your BIOS: Utilities from Top Motherboard Makers
PSA:Enthusiasts building their own PCs are accustomed to keeping up with latest drivers, especially ...[详细] -
16 of the Most Epic Sandwiches Around the Planet
According to lore, the sandwich was invented in 1742 when a compulsive gambler was on a 24-hour hot ...[详细] -
Update your BIOS: Utilities from Top Motherboard Makers
PSA:Enthusiasts building their own PCs are accustomed to keeping up with latest drivers, especially ...[详细]
- NASA rover snaps photo of its most daunting challenge yet
- Yoon touts pension reform drive amid stagnant popularity rating
- 22 Unusual Things You Can Find in the Desert
- If aliens harnessed solar power, could we detect them? NASA investigated.
- If aliens harnessed solar power, could we detect them? NASA investigated.
- Ruling bloc divided on foreign nannies' pay
- 21 Lost and Lonely Cemeteries