Atlético Madrid will take to the field on Wednesday evening with a battered defense against Feyenoord. Coach Diego Simeone must improvise at the back due to the injuries of José María Giménez and Stefan Savic.
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Giménez is fundamentally one of Atlético's strongholds, but the 28-year-old Uruguayan has been struggling with injuries all season and also did not emerge unscathed from the league duel last Sunday with Cádiz. Because Savic is also not back after an injury, the Spanish media expect that former Chelsea captain César Azpilicueta will again be on the right in defense alongside Mário Hermoso and Axel Witsel.
In the midfield and the attack, Simeone has more options. Up front, Álvaro Morata will likely return to the starting line-up alongside Antoine Griezmann after his suspension in La Liga, although it is also an option to keep Ángel Correa in after his strong performance against Cádiz. The Argentine striker, with two goals, was at the basis of Atlético's comeback, where Memphis Depay is still absent.
In midfield, Rodrigo de Paul is available again after an injury. The question is whether Simeone will put his compatriot back in the starting lineup after his substitution against Cádiz, or whether he chooses the lineup from the last matches. Then, captain Koke was flanked in the center midfield by the Spanish internationals Marcos Llorente and Saúl, who has fully revived this season with five assists in his last five league matches.
