(Football news) Atletico Madrid are currently 5th on the La Liga table. They finished 4th in the Champions League group stage and do not have any European football fixtures this season which might be a blessing in disguise. The Rojiblancos were winless in their last 5 games before the World Cup break. They did start the 2nd part of the season with a 3-1 win in the Copa del Rey against CD Arenteiro. Now they will be taking on Elche who are rock bottom of the table at the Wanda Metropolitano. Diego Simeone needs his team to start winning games before it’s too late because the last 1 ½ seasons have been very underwhelming.

Despite being involved in the World Cup final, Rodrigo De Paul, Nahuel Molina, Angel Correa and Antoine Griezmann are available for the match. All eyes will be on Joao Felix’s involvement after all the open talks about his future. Atletico Madrid have no injury issues which is incredible news for Simeone. Elche on the other hand will be without John Donald and Jony Alamo who are injured. Simeone has mixed things up this season with different formations and it will be interesting to see if he has changed anything especially after a long break.

Antoine Griezmann had an incredible World Cup in France and Atlético Madrid fans will be desperately hoping that he can continue that at club level. Fellow striker Alvaro Morata also had a decent World Cup where he scored 3 goals. It wouldn’t be a surprise if Atletico signed a couple of players in January to bolster their squad as Matheus Cunha is on the verge of joining Wolves while Felipe is also being linked with a move away from Madrid. 

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