ATLÉTICO MADRID NEWS

Thomas Lemar - Undergoes Achilles surgery Lemar had surgery Monday to repair a torn Achilles tendon and will be out indefinitely.

Impact At best, Lemar could still return in late February or early March based on the absolute shortest end of a potential recovery timeline. That's far from a guarantee either, as the midfielder could miss the entirety of the 2023/24 campaign as a result of his serious Achilles injury. Prior to getting hurt, Lemar started all three of his appearances for the club in which he recorded two shots (zero on target), six crosses (one accurate) and two corners. With Rodrigo De Paul (thigh) also injured, Saul could be pressed into the starting XI in Lemar's stead.

SEPTEMBER 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Lemar ruptures Achilles tendon and will need surgery

Atletico Madrid midfielder Thomas Lemar ruptured the Achilles tendon in his right leg during the team’s 3-0 loss at Valencia on Saturday in the Spanish league

SEPTEMBER 17, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Alvaro Morata - Fails to score in defeat Morata generated two shots (one on goal) in Saturday's 3-0 defeat versus Valencia.

Impact Morata started for the second time this year, following his previous two-goal performance when Memphis Depay suffered an injury. However, he only had one shot on goal, the second time this season he's had fewer than two. His role going forward may depend on when Memphis Depay returns from his injury.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Nahuel Molina - Delivers seven crosses in defeat Molina generated seven crosses (four accurate) and one corner in Saturday's 3-0 loss to Valencia.

Impact Molina came off the bench in the second half and led his team by sending in seven crosses, four of which were accurate. The defender also created his first chance of the season.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Jan Oblak - Concedes three in defeat Oblak made five saves and allowed three goals in Saturday's 3-0 loss versus Valencia.

Impact Oblak made a season-high of five saves but also allowed a season-high of three goals. He couldn't stop two short-range shots by Hugo Duro in the first half and an outside-the-box finish by Javi Guerra in the second half. Next, he'll aim to bounce back in their upcoming match against Real Madrid, a team that has scored eight goals in four matches.

SEPTEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Thomas Lemar - Could have suffered serious injury Lemar was stretched off during Saturday's game against Valencia, and the early signs suggest he could have suffered an Achilles injury, the club announced.

Impact Lemar suffered an awkward fall and had to be stretched off, which is never a good thing, and Atletico's medical staff believe he could've suffered a serious injury. Further exams will be needed to confirm the diagnosis, but it wouldn't be surprising if he's forced to spend a considerable time sidelined.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Jose Maria Gimenez - On bench in return Gimenez (knee) is on the bench for Saturday's match against Valencia.

Impact Nobody expected Gimenez to start right away considering his extended absence, and he will wait for the opportunity to make his season debut on the bench. Stefan Savic, Mario Hermoso and Axel Witsel will start on defense in Atletico's 3-5-2 scheme.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Thomas Lemar - Starting against Valencia Lemar (strain) is in the starting lineup for Saturday's match against Valencia.

Impact Lemar started in the first two games of the season before going down with an injury, so his return to the lineup isn't surprising. In fact, considering the absences of Koke (hamstring) and Rodrigo De Paul (thigh), the Frenchman was widely expected to be in the XI if available.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Jose Maria Gimenez - Makes squad to face Valencia Gimenez (knee) has been named in the squad for Saturday's match against Valencia.

Impact Gimenez will be able to make his 2023/24 season debut after taking part in training with no setbacks this week, though there's a chance he comes off the bench given his lack of minutes. Even if it's on a limited capacity, his return should provide quite a boost to the team on the defensive zone.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Thomas Lemar - Makes squad to face Valencia Lemar (strain) is in the squad to face Valencia on Saturday.

Impact Lemar started in Atletico's first two matches in central midfield, and while he missed the game against Rayo Vallecano, he should slot right into the starting lineup against Valencia on Saturday with both Koke (hamstring) and Rodrigo De Paul (thigh) ruled out.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Caglar Soyuncu - Out against Valencia Soyuncu (groin) is not in the squad for Saturday's match against Valencia.

Impact Soyuncu returned from international duty with a groin issue, and with a heavy calendar upon Atletico Madrid in the coming weeks, the coaching staff decided not to risk him. His next chance to feature will come Tuesday next week in the UEFA Champions League opener against Lazio.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Koke - Not returning this weekend Koke (hamstring) is not in the squad for Saturday's match against Valencia.

Impact Atletico Madrid will be missing quite a few players due to injury this weekend in their trip to Mestalla, and they'll be particularly thin in midfield depth since Rodrigo De Paul (thigh) is out as well. Koke's next chance to return will come in the UEFA Champions League opener against Lazio next Tuesday, or against Real Madrid in the upcoming weekend.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Memphis Depay - Won't face Valencia Depay (thigh) is not in the squad for Saturday's match against Valencia.

Impact Depay picked up the injury in Atletico's most recent league game before the international break, and there's no clear timetable for his return. It remains to be seen if he'll be able to return for the Champions League opener against Lazio next week, and if he doesn't feature there, then he'd have his sights set in facing Real Madrid next Sunday in league play.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Rodrigo De Paul - Not in squad for Saturday De Paul (thigh) is not in the squad for Saturday's match against Valencia.

Impact De Paul picked up the injury in training after his return from international duty with Argentina, and with the UEFA Champions League debut on the horizon, head coach Diego Simeone opted not to risk him. Muscular injuries are often tricky, though, and it remains to be seen where he will be eligible to return. Atletico's upcoming matches are against Lazio in the Champions League on Tuesday and against Real Madrid next Sunday in league play.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Rodrigo De Paul - Suffers thigh injury De Paul picked up an injury in training ahead of Saturday's match with Valencia, the team reported.

Impact De Paul's status for Saturday's match is in question after picking up a thigh injury while in training this week. There has been no further report on the severity of the injury or any timetable given for his return. He may be able to give it a go on Saturday, but that will depend on his training building up to the match. If he is not able to play, expect Saul to step in, with Thomas Lemar and Koke also being options if they are determined to be fit before the match.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Jose Maria Gimenez - Returns to training Gimenez was back in training on Wednesday ahead of Saturday's match against Valencia.

Impact Gimenez looks to be closing in on a return to the pitch after participating in team training for the first time this season. The defender underwent knee surgery in May and has been sidelined since then. He probably will not be rushed back into action and will remain out for these next couple of matches, but when he does return, expect him to take back his starting spot, sending either Mario Hermoso or Axel Witsel to the bench.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Caglar Soyuncu - Being checked for groin issue Soyuncu came back from international duty with Turkey with a groin injury, the club announced Thursday.

Impact The club's statement indicated that Soyuncu was still being evaluated but at this point, he should be considered doubtful at best for Saturday's clash with Valencia. Prior to the international break, the defender featured exclusively off the bench, logging a combined 45 minutes in two appearances. As such, Soyuncu's potential absence shouldn't be expected to significantly impact the club's starting XI for Saturday.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Stefan Savic - Ever-present as center-back Savic has started and played 90 minutes in each of Atletico's three games in the 2023/24 LaLiga campaign so far, racking up eight interceptions, six clearances, five blocked shots...

Impact Savic has started every game so far for Los Colchoneros at the back, just like Mario Hermoso, and he figures to remain in an important role for manager Diego Simeone, regardless of what might happen when Jose Maria Gimenez (knee) is eligible to return to action. His consistency as a starter shouldn't surprise, as Savic has registered at least 20 starts in each of his previous league campaigns as well.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Pablo Barrios Rivas - Emerging as depth option Barrios has started once and has played off the bench twice in three 2023/24 LaLiga rounds so far, racking up 10 interceptions, eight tackles, four clearances and three inaccurate...

Impact Barrios was handed his first LaLiga start against Rayo Vallecano during a 7-0 win on Aug. 28, and he has been emerging as a potential long-term replacement for Koke (hamstring). That said, Atletico have one of the deepest rosters in the league and features plenty of options in midfield, so Barrios might stay as a depth option in the short-term, which should limit his fantasy value considerably.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Mario Hermoso - Regular starter on defense Hermoso has started all three matches for Atletico Madrid in the 2023/24 LaLiga season, racking up 13 clearances, eight tackles, four interceptions, three crosses, two shots and tw...

Impact Hermoso joins a list of Atletico Madrid players who have started all three league matches, including Antoine Griezmann, Stefan Savic, Rodrigo De Paul and Jan Oblak, as well as Yannick Carrasco, but the latter already left the club. Hermoso also ended the 2022/23 campaign as a starter, and nothing suggests he'll lose his spot in the lineup even when Jose Maria Gimenez (knee) is ready to return.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Caglar Soyuncu - Yet to start in LaLiga Soyuncu has made two appearances off the bench in the 2023/24 LaLiga season, racking up four clearances and one interception across 44 combined minutes of play.

Impact Soyuncu joined Atletico Madrid in the summer to provide depth on defense and that's exactly what he's done, but the former Leicester star has yet to start for his new club. With multiple options to handle the center-back roles, his time as a starter might come when Diego Simeone starts rotating the squad, and that might happen sooner rather than later with the UEFA Champions League starting shortly after the international break.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Cesar Azpilicueta - Playing multiple positions Azpilicueta has started in two of Atletico Madrid's three matches in the 2023/24 season, racking up one shot on target, two chances created, five tackles (one won), two interceptio...

Impact Azpilicueta offers positional flexibility for head coach Diego Simeone, as he can play both as a center-back and as a right-back regardless of whether the team fields three, four or five defenders. Still, his path to a starting role is not completely clear, with Nahuel Molina pushing for starts at right-back and options such as Stefan Savic, Mario Hermoso and Caglar Soyuncu, as well as the injured Jose Maria Gimenez (knee), for the three centre-back spots.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Axel Witsel - Playing as center-back Witsel has made two starts during the 2023/24 Liga campaign and both have come as a center-back, racking up one shot, one chance created, seven clearances, three blocked shots, thr...

Impact Witsel has spent most of his career playing as a central midfielder for both club and country, but given his traits, it's not surprising to see him move into a role on central defense, where his instincts, ball-playing ability and height suit quite well. Given manager Diego Simeone has already said he envisions Witsel as a defender, he's expected to continue in that center-back role going forward.

SEPTEMBER 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Atletico Madrid vs Sevilla postponed due to heavy rainstorm forecast Atletico Madrid’s La Liga fixture against Sevilla at the Metropolitan Stadium has been postponed due to the heavy rainstorm forecast in Madr...

SEPTEMBER 3, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Barcelona acquires João Félix on loan from Atletico Madrid on final day of transfer window

Barcelona says Portugal forward João Félix will join the Spanish champion on loan from Atletico Madrid for this season.

SEPTEMBER 1, 2023