Atletico Madrid will hit the pause button on their La Liga title problem in midweek as Diego Simeone’s aspect head off to Barcelona.
Los Rojiblancos face off with Hansi Flick’s aspect within the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi remaining double header within the coming weeks.
Victory over Valencia this weekend retains Simeone’s fees proper within the title hunt and only a level behind Actual Madrid and Barcelona.
La Blaugrana have clung onto high spot within the rankings, based mostly on head-to-head outcomes with their El Clasico foes, with the defending champions in second spot.
All three groups will now change their consideration to Copa obligation and Simeone is planning modifications for the Barcelona sport with captain Koke nonetheless dominated out by way of harm.
Simeone didn’t flag up any contemporary harm issues on the street again from Valencia and the squad skilled as regular earlier in the present day.
With the necessity to steadiness his squad in opposition to a number of competitions, Simeone must relaxation and rotate, and reviews from Diario AS point out midfielder Pablo Barrios will come straight again into the beginning line up.
Barrios missed out at Los Che as a result of suspension after choosing up his second pink card of the season.
The combative midfielder was solely eliminated for one league sport and he’ll supply some freshness to Simeone’s squad at Barcelona.
Different beginning modifications are anticipated with Juan Musso established because the Copa del Rey keeper to date this season with Jan Oblak prepared for a relaxation.
Barrios could possibly be partnered in midfield by England worldwide Connor Gallagher with Giuliano Simeone a potential starter within the away aspect’s assault.
Simeone Jr has scored twice within the competitors to date this season with fellow Argentinian Julian Alvarez their high Copa del Rey scorer with 4 objectives previous to the semi finals.