Madrid’s Atletico has bounced back from their late-season setback and has moved one step closer to confirming their 12th consecutive appearance in the UEFA Champions League. Controlled victories over Athletic (3-1) and Mallorca (1-0) mean that they may only need to maintain an almost perfect record at the Wanda Metropolitano to finish in the top four in La Liga, starting this round six points ahead of Athletic in fifth place. Long-time coach Diego Simeone has urged his players to “keep attacking” until the campaign is over, and their last two home matches, a pair of 3-1 victories where they scored in both halves each time, suggest that the players are not in the mood to rest on their laurels. Himenez, Vitolo, Molina, and Lemar, who has an Achilles injury, will be unavailable for selection.
After three wins under new coach Claudio Heraldez, the latest being a home victory against Villarreal (3-2), Celta’s visitors are close to avoiding a somber end to their centennial celebrations, at least not with the relegation marking their 12-year stay in the top division. Sunday promises to be a special occasion for Heraldez, who played for Atletico’s reserve team. But recent club history suggests he’ll have to work wonders to secure three points here as a coach Vigo last defeated the “Indians” in 2018. Out of the game is Aido, who has an Achilles tendon injury.
