Match Preview: Granada vs. Atlético

Rojiblancos to face Granada after a clean win against Valencia.

Posted by on March 11th, 2017 in Match Previews - 37 Comments

With five injured players, Simeone prepares the team to face Granada.

With five injured players, Simeone prepares the team to face Granada.

After a good win over Valencia last Sunday, Simeone leads Atlético to face Granada CF, a team that seams stronger when they play at their own stadium.

Kick off at Nuevo Los Cármenes is set for 20:25 CET.

Concerns come from both Simeone and the fans when we realize the number of players Atleti has off from injuries: Torres, Gabi, Tiago, Augusto and now Gameiro, who is currently having some discomfort on the abdominal muscles.

At Cholo’s squad call, Cerci and Shiappacasse are on the list. Schiappacasse’s selection makes him have his debut, traveling with the team this Saturday since Torres and Gameiro’s absence. The Uruguayan’s current squad is Atletico Madrid B as Forward. More info on the young striker:  What can we expect from Nicolás Schiappacasse?

Simeone expressed his concerns on facing the “Nazaríes”. Granada CF seems to be stronger playing at their home. In fact, their last three wins were at Nuevo Los Cármenes. Although, they have been defeated by eight goals on their last three losses away from home.

“The second round is completely different from the first” said Simeone earlier at his conference, “and it is more when we will play at the home of those who are fighting to go out of the dangerous zone”.

If we remember last October at Calderón, Granada was crushed by Atleti 7-1. Carrasco was the man of the match scoring three of the seven goals, Gaitán scored twice and Correa and Tiago the completed the score.

Granada FC is currently on a dangerous position (18th on the Table). Their coach Lucas Alcaraz is aware of his team’s weaknesses since this year Liga started. “Atlético is a fast team and great at set-pieces, but we are focusing on ourselves”, were his words on Cholo’s team.

Alcaraz wants to keep his team ambitious in order to fight off relegation. Meanwhile, both Simeone and the team’s goals are on keeping a 3-point win every time. Hopes and concerns are on the line-ups and resource of players, since many of our important ones cannot attend, unfortunately.

We will see what the team has on hand before their Champions League match with Bayer Leverkusen next Wednesday.

Squad List for Granada:

Goalkeepers: Moyá, Oblak.
Defenders: Godín, Filipe, Savic, Vrsaljko, Lucas, Juanfran, Giménez.
Midfielders: Koke, Saúl, Carrasco, Cerci, Thomas, Gaitán.
Forwards: Griezmann, Correa, Schiappacasse.


  • Zinni DUDU

    Two things happened yesterday which makes me loose my faith into Simeone:

    1. He said yesterday that Saul has everything to become a world class middfielder. Maybe yes maybe no, but his never stopping trust into Saul even when he is playing so bad, is going to kill us in big games. Saul is offering nothing in the last quarter of the pitch. I saw so many counter attacks where Saul had the possibility to play Gameiro, Griezman or Torres through, but he did to choose to run with the ball into the oppostion. He is not able to create fucking god damn chances for the strikers. I want beside Koke a nother creative middfielder; buying Kampl would a good choice to put Saul on the bench.

    2. It seems like Vrsaljko will be on the bench today. My question is why?? He was maybe one of our best players of the last few weeks. He offered in the offense aswell in the defense so much, that he should have regulary starting option. Sorry but Juanfran was one of our worst players of this season and one of the main reasons why we where not stable in the back (Savic the other reason). Why is Simeone eager to give a man who was injured and not playing well this season a starting position? For me thats nothing else than bad coaching. You have to reward good performances with starting roles. And players which constantly performing not good have to be benched; it is so easy ! Juanfran does not deserve the fucking starting spot ! I would prefer Vrsaljko for the rest of the season over Juanfran. He is solid, fast and creative, why do we need to bench him? It is simeones undeserved trust into Juanfran.

  • Max Huber

    You’re so right!!!

  • Vagabond Messi

    Saul is something we can’t do anything about that. Our only hope is new manager who can see Saul for what he is rather than falling for his handsome look or something.

  • Zinni DUDU

    Great touch by Lord Savic.

  • Joa Andrew

    At least Thomas is starting

  • Vagabond Messi

    Another match and our team has no idea how to create chances, who would’ve thought this?

  • Football Fan

    Is Casse playing?

  • Vagabond Messi

    Even with one extra man we can’t dominate Granada lol

  • Football Fan

    It’s only 20 minutes left.

  • Vagabond Messi

    No

  • aileen

    I`m trying to get this puzzle made in our eleven but it`s a difficult task. Simeone probably could see that Gaitan who is regularly benched can`t hold the proper level on the pitch.So he changed him another time;(Saul, like Koke is a playing every game no matter effectively or not.But he won`t be changed even if he scored three own goals.The better Vrsalijko plays the more often he is on the bench.And Correa can`t start.Simply he could move only in the second half.Experienced, world class coach .Can`t understand.

  • Football Fan

    Correa is good this season. 7 goals, and 8 assists with the playing time he had.

  • aileen

    I know he is so I wonder. It was to be a bit ironical remark from me.

  • Vagabond Messi

    Problem is Simeone is a kind of coach who feeds on emotions and heart for his success, and you know these things can only take you so far. With talented sqaud like this he has no idea how to dominate a 10man relegation battling side.

  • Vagabond Messi

    I’m sick of this play

  • Vagabond Messi

    Once again Griezmann saves Simeones arss .

  • Roberto

    Atleti player seem demotivated, tired and unsecure. I think the fire of cholo has been run out. Time for a change.

  • Football Fan

    If it wasn’t for him this team wouldn’t even qualify for the Europa League.

  • Vagabond Messi

    What would you expect when engine of team i.e midfield never get rested no matter what. Koke is not a machine that can run 15km twice a week.Simeone just doesn’t understand rotation.This Saul dude is useless

  • Vagabond Messi

    No doubt about that , he has won so many point individually when team was not creating s single chance.

  • aileen

    Emotions sometimes make you more creative.I`m sure you can see as Simeone should that if something doesn`t work you are looking for new solutions even taking a risk or experimenting, no ?
    He doesn`t, his emotions are only for showing passion on the sidelines.

  • Vagabond Messi

    Problem with his emotion and heart is his inability to pick right player at right situation and always go with instinct rather than logic , he avoids some players like flees and ignore everything bad about players he loves.

  • Football Fan

    Zidane would have started Correa and Casse as strikers.

  • Zinni DUDU

    We have not different players than we had two/three years ago, but we are playing same shit football than two years ago (maybe worse version aswell). I swear by good these long balls and crosses into box when we have Carrasco/Correa and Griezmann inside the box, are making me tired. If Simeone wants to play this kind of football, Godin should start as a striker

  • Vagabond Messi

    In old days we had RG8, Miranda, Costa who would head the ball. Don’t forget our lightening fast counter and link up play between Arda and Koke would create many chances . Now we’ve Saul as Arda replacement and we know how good he plays.

  • Zinni DUDU

    To be honest: We won but I have not the kind of feeling to be happy about that game. We are now getting into the most important part of the season with all League games coming we have to win, if we want a champions league spot, and also important champions league games. Our Team will loose when we draw with team like Juve, Bayern, Real or Barcelona. Another Season without silverware with a squad which was called as the “best in our history” before the season. But atleast Juanfran, Saul and Savic can start every game.

  • aileen

    Agree. And because of it we can`t win anything important.When he should take on experience and stability he is making unusual experiments and when we need some freshness and creativity he chooses players (most often always the same )who play all the matches and are simply tired.

  • Zinni DUDU

    Saul has not even 1 % of the quality Arda had (I know he is rat). Gameiro is to small and to weak. Carrasco is playting sometimes like brainless winger with his stupid dribblings. Gaitan was one of our best players today, but was subbed after 60 minutes. Juanfran is shit gets still a starting spot. Savic is not even worth mentioning. Lucas is playing every game so good but he is CB number 4 behind this donkey Savic. I do not know what to do man.

  • Football Fan

    RB Leipzig is a great club. 🙂

  • Mitch

    I didn’t get the chance to watch until 82 mins (will watch the full match for sure tonight). NO matter what its 3 very important points given Sevilla only got 1 point. I’m 100% confident we’ll be at least 3rd this year!

    I hope that the one and only reason Vrsaljko didn’t start was because they wanted to prepare/rest him for the match against Bayer next Wed.

  • Football Fan

    Why wasn’t Griezmann rested? Casse could’ve made his debut.

  • Mitch

    They never REST Griezmann!

  • Hannu

    Watched the game today and dont think that it was that bad. All in all deserved win. Saul by the way was very good and if someone cant see that is either blind or fucking stupid or both at the same time. Juanfran seems pretty much done and have to say that Vrsaljko is much better nowadays. Good game from Carrasco too!

  • Ucce

    For now it still looks okay, even though some bad players are playing. We will go through to the quarter-finals in the CL, and we are four points secure for fourth place in the league. If we go out in the quarter-finals and secure fourth place in the league, it is not so good but it is not a terrible disaster either. Missing out on the CL would be the real disaster. Of course, if we are to progress even further in the CL, things might need to be more optimal than what Simeone is doing now. Only great teams will remain for the quarter-finals.

  • AndersAT

    Agreed. Besides winning a game like this and keeping a clean sheet is a great step up from some of our prior games this season. Great to see us improving. Btw Griezmann and Carrasco was a bit unlucky to have two nice one-on-ones called offside.

  • Karlp

    Correa’s worst game by far, that I think if he wasn’t Correa, he would be bashed so hard in this forum. Still a fan of him though. Needs more minutes, especially in striker role to bring his striker mode back, as he spent most of his time as RW this season.

    Would be surprised if Gaitan wasn’t sold in the summer. It’s like he has missed his moment. He looks very good in preseason and should be started right away, but somehow Simeone waited too long that his fire already gone down. Now seems like he’s losing confidence, although his technique is still one of the best. Would be very glad if he somehow find his groove back.

    Saul is still a weak link but I saw a glimpse of potential as that lanky deep lying playmaker like Busquets. It’s about time, Simeone has given him everything, so little improvement is overdue.

  • Usavicente Calderon

    Correa is a good player, that is why he isn’t being bashed. I have felt he needs to be on the field every game. Starter or sub, it doesn’t matter. He needs to be exposed more and if we are not going to loan him out to get that experience, then we have to do it now. He scores goals and most of his shots are on target. I do think Saul looks very bad at times. But I would always put him on the field against a German team. He seems to shine when playing any German team.