Valencia vs Atletico Madrid – Combined Line-up
In a mouth watering encounter this weekend, Valencia CF and Club Atletico de Madrid will square off at the Mestalla.
Valencia players will be high on morale going into the match after compelling the current Liga champions to a 2-2 draw at the Bernabeu and bringing home an important point. Diego Simeone, who recently renewed his contract with the club will look to maintain his squad’s form as Atletico thumped Las Palmas 5-1 in previous League outing, after a disappointing 2-2 draw to the newly promoted Girona. Both sides have earned four points after two games.
Let’s have a look at who makes it to the combined XI of these two sides.
Combined Line-up
Formation: 4-4-2
GK- Jan Oblak (Atletico Madrid)
Last season’s Zamora award winner, Oblak is the best goalkeeper in La Liga and is one of the best in the world.
RB- Vrsaljko (Atletico Madrid)
The Croat is the receiver of the baton from Juanfran at the right-back position after some spectacular performances last season and is impressing this season as well.
CB- Godin (Atletico Madrid)
The Uruguayan is a beast at the back and is one of the best in the world in his position. He is also a threat from set pieces. His header at the Camp Nou won Atletico the league against Barcelona in the final match of 2013-14 season.
CB- Garay (Valencia)
The Argentine defender holds a commanding presence at the back. It is imperative for him to have a good game to prevent the likes of Gameiro and Correa from scoring.
LB- Filipe Luis (Atletico Madrid)
Luis is a brilliant workhorse who provides adequate attacking outlet down the flank along with maintaining defensive prowess. It’d be a tough ask for Valencia to get past him.
CM- Kondogbia (Valencia)
Kondogbia was loaned to Valencia by Inter this summer. The French holding midfielder put up a spectacular show against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu last week and will look to maintain that consistency throughout the season.
CM- Gabi (Atletico Madrid)
The captain of the team, Gabi embodies the “Never say die” Simeone and Atleti philosophy. Simply a midfield powerhouse.
RM- Koke (Atletico Madrid)
The Spanish midfielder is an amazing talent and is an easy pick for any manager. He brings in a subtle depth and control to the midfield with his presence.
LM- Carlos Soler (Valencia)
The 20 year old Spaniard had a brilliant outing at the Bernabeu against Real Madrid and it would be interesting to see whether he can keep the same momentum going, against a tightly knit Atleti defence.
CF- Kevin Gameiro (Atletico Madrid)
The French centre forward scored one out of Atletico’s two goals at the Mestalla last year and would look to replicate his efforts.
ST- Angel Correa (Atletico Madrid)
The young Argentine would look at the absence of Griezmann as an opportunity to prove himself and what better way to do it than scoring at the Mestalla?