Date: January 18, 2025
Venue: Estadio Municipal de Butarque, Leganés
Competition: La Liga
Kick-off: 21:00 CET
Leganés: Recent Form
Leganés have been a resilient side in La Liga, but they have faced challenges this season as they aim to solidify their position in the top half of the table. Under coach Imanol Idiakez, they have shown flashes of strong play, especially in defensive solidity, but their attack has struggled to break down stronger opponents.
- Recent Results: Leganés have been inconsistent, with several draws and losses in recent weeks. A recent 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano was a positive result, but they also suffered a 2-0 defeat to Getafe, showing their struggles against more organized teams.
- Key Players:
- Oscar Rodríguez (CM) – Rodríguez is Leganés’ playmaker, and his vision and creativity are crucial in breaking down opposition defenses. He will be key in linking midfield to attack.
- Youssef En-Nesyri (CF) – The Moroccan forward, on loan from Sevilla, is Leganés’ main goal threat. His aerial ability and positioning make him a constant danger in the box.
- Jonathan Silva (LB) – Silva’s overlapping runs and defensive stability are important for Leganés, and he will need to provide both an outlet in attack and a solid defensive presence.
Atlético Madrid: Recent Form
Atlético Madrid, under manager Diego Simeone, have been competitive as usual, although they’ve had some inconsistency in their pursuit of the La Liga title. Atlético’s defense remains one of the strongest in Europe, but their attacking play has lacked the fluidity expected from a top team, particularly without a consistent goal scorer.
- Recent Results: Atlético have been in decent form, though not quite at their best. Their 2-1 win over Real Sociedad showed their ability to win tight games, while a 1-1 draw with Valencia highlighted some of their attacking struggles. A 3-0 win over Girona in their most recent match reaffirmed their ability to dominate weaker opponents.
- Key Players:
- Antoine Griezmann (CF) – Griezmann continues to be Atlético’s most influential player, both in terms of creating chances and scoring goals. His versatility and ability to make decisive plays will be crucial.
- Jan Oblak (GK) – The Slovenian goalkeeper is one of the best in the world and remains a key figure in Atlético’s defensive setup. His shot-stopping ability will be pivotal in keeping Leganés at bay.
- Marcos Llorente (CM) – Llorente’s box-to-box energy and ability to drive the team forward will be essential in controlling the midfield and supporting both defense and attack.
Head-to-Head: Leganés vs. Atlético Madrid
Atlético Madrid have generally dominated this fixture in recent seasons, with Leganés struggling to challenge Atlético’s quality, particularly in home games. Leganés have only managed a few draws against Atlético, and their last victory over Simeone’s men came in 2019, with Atlético winning the last five encounters.
- Recent Results:
- Atlético Madrid won 2-0 in their last fixture at the Wanda Metropolitano.
- The previous match at Butarque ended in a 1-1 draw, with Leganés putting up a strong fight.
Tactics and Key Battles
- Leganés’ Defense vs. Atlético’s Attack: Leganés will look to frustrate Atlético’s attackers, particularly Griezmann, by maintaining a solid defensive shape. En-Nesyri and Silva will need to remain disciplined to limit Atlético’s width and prevent crosses into the box. Leganés may adopt a low-block strategy, looking to stifle the space in which Atlético’s creative players can operate.
- Atlético’s Midfield Dominance: With Llorente and Koke in midfield, Atlético will look to dominate possession and control the tempo of the game. Leganés will need to disrupt Atlético’s midfield dominance to prevent their opponents from dictating the flow of play.
- Set-Pieces: Both teams will likely look to capitalize on set-pieces, with Atlético having the height advantage, particularly in the form of Stefan Savić and José María Giménez. Leganés will rely on the aerial presence of En-Nesyri to try to create chances from corners or free-kicks.
Injury Updates
- Leganés: Leganés have a few injuries to contend with, including doubts over the fitness of midfielder Recio. However, they still have a solid squad that can compete at home.
- Atlético Madrid: Atlético have some injury concerns, with João Félix and Mario Hermoso ruled out for this match. However, their core players, including Griezmann, Oblak, and Llorente, are fit and available.
Prediction
While Leganés have shown resilience this season, Atlético’s superior squad and quality, especially in defense and midfield, make them the favorites to win. However, Leganés will put up a strong fight, especially at home, where they have often been difficult to break down.
- Final Score Prediction: Leganés 0-2 Atlético Madrid
Atlético’s attacking quality and solid defense should give them the edge, but Leganés will be tough to break down. Atlético are expected to eventually wear them down and secure a relatively comfortable victory, though Leganés could still pose a threat with set-pieces and counter-attacks.