Atletico Madrid to Face Leganes Amid Fan Restrictions at Metropolitano

Atletico Madrid is set to resume its La Liga campaign against Leganes at the Estadio Civitas Metropolitano on Sunday, October 20, 2024, with the team hoping to end a three-game winless streak across all competitions. As Diego Simeone‘s squad returns from the international break, they aim to secure a victory to maintain their position in the top three of the league standings.

Despite only one win in their last four domestic matches, Atletico remains unbeaten in La Liga this season, securing four wins and five draws, which places them third in the table, seven points behind the current leaders, Barcelona. However, the team has faced struggles in the UEFA Champions League, suffering a heavy 4-0 defeat against Benfica earlier this month, putting pressure on them as they prepare to face Lille next week.

The matchup with Leganes presents an opportunity for Atletico, known for their strong defensive record, having conceded only five goals in nine league matches. In contrast, Leganes has struggled offensively, scoring only five goals, the joint-worst in the league alongside Valencia. Currently positioned 17th, Leganes aims to find form to avoid relegation and will bring a three-game unbeaten run into this encounter.

Sunday’s game will not feature key Atletico players due to injuries, including Marcos Llorente with a hamstring issue and Cesar Azpilicueta sidelined with muscle problems. Simeone has experimented with lineup changes during training, testing out Antoine Griezmann in midfield and other positional switches to compensate for the missing players.

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid will face a partial fan ban in the Grada de Animación, following incidents during a derby match against Real Madrid. The club’s investigation into the incidents is ongoing, with a ban on ticket sales for supporters in the affected section for the next five away matches.

Simeone addressed these challenges, expressing confidence despite the absence of 5,000 fans, stating, “We have 55,000 more to make up for those who won’t be there tomorrow.” The coach also confirmed reports concerning a transfer controversy involving former player Samu Omorodion, who had requested to leave the club, stirring discussions during the pre-match press conference.