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Atlético de Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano: Lineups, Team News, Analysis, and Predictions
When Atletico Madrid began the 2024–25 season in March, the team's season was expected to be a successful one; nevertheless, throughout the nine games that have been played in competition, the season has swiftly turned into one of disappointment.Aside from the fact that they were defeated by Barcelona in the Copa del Rey semi-finals by a score of 5-4 on aggregate, Atletico Madrid also suffered a defeat at the hands of their local rivals Real Madrid in the Champions League last-16.
As a result of a bad run of form that has resulted in them losing three times in their past six league games, including a slight setback on Saturday's trip to Gran Canaria, their prospects of winning the title have been effectively eliminated.
Before their frustrating evening turned for the worse, when a moment of poor defending gave Javi Munoz the opportunity to net a 93rd-minute winner, Diego Simeone's side appeared to be on the verge of playing out an unimpressive goalless draw with Las Palmas, which would have condemned Atleti to a loss at the Estadio de Gran Canaria for the second season in a row.Having avoided defeat in each and every one of their last seventeen competitive matches against Rayo (W13, D4), Atletico, who are now 13 points behind the team in first place, will at the at least assess their chances of gaining something from the match that will take place on Thursday. Los Colchoneros have a strong record in the Metropolitano this season, as seen by their 16 home games in La Liga, in which they have won 11 games, drawn four games, and only lost one game.
Match Details
Fixture: Atlético de Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano
Competition: Laliga
Date: 25 April, 2025
Venue:Riyadh Air Metropolitano
Kick Off: 1 :00 AM
Atlético de Madrid Preview
There was just one victory for them throughout that time period, and it came from a game they played away from home against Alaves at the end of the previous month. Pathe Ciss and Pedro Diaz scored goals in the 2-0 victory that they achieved at Mendizorroza.
However, Rayo was quickly stopped in their tracks by a strong 4-0 loss at home to Espanyol. After that, they gave up an early lead and lost 3-1 in their most recent away trip against Athletic Club.
After having an own goal scored by Cesar Tarrega nullified by a goal scored by Umar Sadiq, they were forced to settle for a draw in their home encounter against Valencia on Saturday. This means that they have now gone five straight home matches without a win since beginning the year 2025 with three consecutive La Liga triumphs at Vallecas.
Team News
The team that is now in tenth place continues to pursue European football despite their recent poor performance, as they are just two points away from a position in the Conference League and three points away from a berth in the Europa League according to the current standings.
Despite the fact that they have not been victorious over Atletico Madrid in a league match played away from home since August 1999, when they were lost by a score of 2-0, Rayo will attempt to improve their chances of qualifying for the European Championship by defeating Atletico for the first time since February 2013, when they won 2-1 at home.
Possible Lineup(4-2-2-2)
Alvarez, Griezmann; Oblak; Llorente, Gimenez, Le Normand, and Galan; Simeone, De Paul, Barrios, and Gallagher; and Barrios and Gallagher
Rayo Vallecano Preview
Due to the fact that Atletico have not disclosed any more injury concerns, they should be able to field a fully healthy squad for their home game on Thursday.
It is recommended that Pablo Barrios and Rodrigo De Paul, who is an international player for Argentina, work together in the middle of the park.
In light of the fact that the Frenchman is expected to take Alexander Sorloth's spot in the frontline, Antoine Griezmann is also in the running for a starting position.
The fact that Julian Alvarez has scored 14 goals in 32 league games this season ensures that he will continue to be Atleti's most significant vulnerability.
Team News
Concerning the guests, Abdul Mumin and Jonathan Montiel are unable to do their duties since they are suffering from knee and quadratic injuries, respectively. Despite the fact that Sergio Camello is currently in the last stages of his recovery from a foot ailment, it is not anticipated that he will be able to go on the voyage to the Metropolitano.
Unai Lopez, who has been forced to make do with substitute appearances in the two games that have come before, might be given the starting place by Inigo Perez, who has the option of cleaning up his playing midfield.
Possible Lineup(4-3-3)
Each of the following individuals: Batalla; Ratiu, Lejeune, Ciss, Chavarria; Valentin, Lopez; De Frutos, Diaz, Garcia; Nteka