Simeone forced to patch up Atlético squad for Betis
The Argentinean has called up academy players Montero and Garcés to cover for injuries to Savic, Giménez, Vitolo and Diego Costa.
Atlético Madrid manager Diego Simeone was often forced to defend the club’s decision to maintain a small squad last season and the Argentinean finds himself similarly short for the visit of Betis on Sunday with injuries to Stefan Savic, José María Giménez, Vitolo and Diego Costa leaving the Rojiblancos with just 16 fit senior players.
That has led Simeone to hand a squad place to forward Borja Garcés, who has been a regular on the bench this season and scored on his debut against Eibar to rescue a point for his side in the Metropolitano.
Simeone to flex tactical muscles in absence of senior players
Also coming into the squad from Atlético vaunted academy is defender 19-year-old central defender Fran Montero, who has yet to make his senior debut.
Simeone gave no clues as to his line-up during his pre-match press conference although he could tweak his system a little to play a 4-1-4-1, with Rodri operating as a defensive screen behind a Thomas Lemar, Thomas, Saúl and Koke, with Antoine Griezmann as a lone striker.
Ángel Correa may also be included if Simeone sticks with his habitual 4-4-2, operarting in support of Griezmann with either Rodri or Thomas dropping to the bench.