With Atletico Madrid already five points off the pace in La Liga, Saturday’s visit of Eibar already seems like a must-win.
Atleti boss Diego Simeone on the budget disparity between Real Madrid, Barcelona and the rest of the League: “It confirms what I’ve always said.
“In the same way that we’re trying to approach both sides in a sporting sense, there are others from Betis upwards who are trying to approach us.
“We’ve already won a League title in 2014 and I don’t know what budget we had compared to the others, but it’s clear that in the long run and after so many matchdays, the differences are noticed.”
Eibar boss Jose Luis Mendilibar on the threat posed by Los Colchoneros: “They’re a team who, in the last six or seven years, have been far superior to the others.
“They never give anything to anyone. Barcelona and Real Madrid seem to have more quality and it seems that Atletico have less, but they surprise you more easily.
“They don’t need to attack you with so many players to do damage. Three or four are enough for them.”
Atletico Madrid (probable): Oblak; Juanfran, Gimenez, Godin, Filipe; Koke, Rodri, Saul; Griezmann, Costa, Lemar
Injuries/suspensions: Arias, Vitolo, Kalinic, Lucas (I) Savic (S)
Eibar (probable): Dmitrovic; Pena, Oliveira, Ramis, Arbilla; De Blasis, Sergio, Escalante, Milla; Charles, Enrich
Injuries/suspensions: Bigas, Pedro Leon, Orellana, Cavalera (I)
Referee: Martinez Munuera
Previous meeting: Atleti 2-2 Eibar
Form guide: Atleti (L W D – -) Eibar (W L L – -)
Venue: Wanda Metropolitano
Kick-off time: 12:00 BST/13:00 local time
