Injury doubts loom over Atletico's lineup
Diego Simeone’s side entered the weekend with a perfect chance to level the Champions League tie after Real Madrid’s 2‑1 win at the Bernabéu. Instead, a costly 2‑1 defeat to Getafe not only dented their La Liga title hopes but also left two of the team’s most reliable starters doubtful for the return leg.
Clement Lenglet suffered a muscle pull during the warm‑up before the Getafe match. The French centre‑back had been impressing in recent weeks, often preferred over Robin Le Normand for his composure on the ball and aerial prowess. His sudden limp forced the medical team to sideline him for the rest of the game, raising concerns about his availability for the midweek Champions League clash.
Midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, equally vital for Simeone’s pressing system, started against Getafe but was forced off at the break after a niggling injury flared up. De Paul’s work‑rate and ability to link defense with attack have made him a keystone in Atletico’s midfield, and his absence would strip the team of much of its engine room.
What the missing players mean for the tie
If Lenglet and De Paul sit out, Simeone faces a tactical dilemma. Defensively, he may have to rely on the less experienced Le Normand or even rotate to a back‑three, potentially weakening the structure against a Real Madrid attack that boasts both pace and precision. In midfield, the options narrow to either a more defensive Gaitán or a risk‑filled gamble on a less seasoned youngster to fill De Paul’s box‑to‑box role.
The first leg left Atletico down 2‑1 but with the tie still within reach. A win at the Wanda Metropolitano would not only overturn the deficit but also provide a psychological edge against a side that thrives on momentum. However, the absence of a solid centre‑back and a dynamic midfielder could force the team into a more cautious approach, reducing the likelihood of the high‑pressing style that Simeone usually employs.
In the post‑match press conference, Simeone acknowledged the different nature of each injury and promised that the club’s medical staff would give a clear update before the Champions League fixture. He also hinted that if the two stars miss the midweek game, they could be back for the upcoming La Liga showdown on Sunday, a crucial encounter that could restore some pride after the Getafe set‑back.
With the clock ticking and the stakes high, Atletico Madrid must gamble on its depth and resilience. Whether the squad can adapt without Lenglet’s defensive steadiness and De Paul’s midfield drive will be the ultimate test before the decisive Champions League encounter at home.
Sihle Tana
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Lenglet out? That's gonna hurt.
Simeone's got to trust the depth. Le Normand isn't flashy but he's solid. Gaitán can hold the line if they drop back a bit.
nah they'll just lose again. same old atletico. always find a way to mess it up when it matters.
Look, I know everyone's panicking but this is why you build a squad. Lenglet's a beast but Le Normand knows the system. De Paul's injury sucks but Gaitán's been waiting for this moment. Simeone doesn't panic. He adapts. This team has grit. They've done it before. Let them play their game. Don't write them off just because two guys got banged up. This is football. Injuries happen. The real test is how you respond.
The midfield without De Paul is the real issue. Gaitán is reliable but he's not a box-to-box guy. Simeone might have to sacrifice width to protect the center. Real Madrid will exploit that.
I'm not worried. This team has fought through worse. They've got heart. Simeone will find a way. The Wanda is going to be a fortress this week. The fans will carry them.
If Simeone goes with a back three, I'd put Griezmann as a false nine. He can drop deep and link play, and it gives them more options in transition. Real Madrid's fullbacks will push up, leaving space behind. Atletico needs to hit them on the break.
Simeone is a dinosaur. He's clinging to the same 2014 tactics while the world moves on. A back three? In 2025? 😂 They're gonna get slaughtered. Real Madrid's wingers will eat them alive. This is why they never win the UCL. 💀
The structural integrity of Atletico's system has always relied on disciplined positioning and relentless work rate. The loss of Lenglet compromises aerial dominance and progressive build-up from the back. De Paul's absence removes the transitional catalyst that allows the team to shift from defense to attack with precision. Without these two, the team's identity fractures. Simeone must either reconfigure the midfield diamond or accept a more reactive posture, which plays directly into Real Madrid's strengths.
Oh wow, Lenglet out? And De Paul? Did they even bother to warm up properly? This is why you don't rely on 'grit' when you have a 70 million euro squad. Simeone's system is one injury away from collapsing. They're not a team, they're a hashtag.
They're doomed.
The medical protocols employed by Atlético Madrid appear to be insufficient in mitigating the risk of soft-tissue injuries during pre-match warm-up procedures. This is a systemic issue requiring institutional review.
This is it. The end of an era. Simeone's last stand. The Wanda is gonna be silent. Real Madrid will win 4-0 and the whole world will laugh. I can feel it in my bones. 😭
Lenglet out?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? And De Paul?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? Simeone, please, just tell us you have a plan?!?!?!?!?!?!?!? This is a disaster, a catastrophe, a tragedy, a horror movie!!!
Typical. They lose to Getafe, then panic about injuries. They're not a team, they're a meme. And Simeone? He's just a guy who thinks pressing is a tactic, not a philosophy. They're lucky they still have a job.
This isn't coincidence. The medical staff is being sabotaged. Someone in the board wants them out. Look at the timing. Right before the Madrid game. This is sabotage. I've seen this before in 2018. Same pattern. Same players. Same outcome.
I believe in this team so much 💖 They've overcome so much before. Even without Lenglet and De Paul, they've got heart. The fans are going to be insane on Wednesday. This is gonna be magical 🙏
lenglet out? lol who even is he again? and de paul? the one who always trips? good riddance. atletico needs a reset. just sign a new striker and call it a day.
If I were Simeone, I'd start Koke in the double pivot with Gaitán and push Griezmann up top. That gives them control in midfield and a link to the attack. Le Normand can handle the aerial threat. They don't need to be perfect. They just need to be organized. And the Wanda will do the rest.