Atletico Madrid vs. Malaga: How Atleti Should Line Up in Liga Game

As action in La Liga returns this weekend following the November international break, Atletico Madrid welcome Malaga to the Vicente Calderon on Saturday as they look to rebound quickly from their damaging 2-1 defeat to Real Sociedad at the Anoeta. 

That heated contest in San Sebastian saw some familiar issues unfold for Diego Simeone's men, who lacked fluency in midfield and weren't able to trouble the home side's back four when fielding a flat 4-4-2 that featured the robust, but hardly dynamic, pairing of Mario Mandzukic and Raul Garcia up front. 

But what was unusual was the way in which Atletico lost their cool in a physical battle, given that it's normally they who overwhelm their opponents in that regard before capitalising on a battered outfit. 

Simeone, therefore, is likely to make some changes to his lineup for Saturday's meeting with Malaga, who arrive as one of the league's hottest sides with five straight victories propelling Javi Gracia's side to sixth on the table. 

But the Atleti boss will also be forced into a number of adjustments, with injuries and suspensions adding to his task ahead of a must-win game. 

Injuries

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One in a long list of prominent players to come down with injury during the international break, Brazilian centre-back Miranda will be unavailable this weekend after suffering a "Grade II muscle injury to the hamstring (distal third) on the back of his left thigh," as reported by the club's official website. 

In his absence, 19-year-old Uruguayan Jose Gimenez is likely to stand alongside fellow countryman Diego Godin in the centre of the defence after impressing in his only appearance this season during Atletico's 2-0 victory at home to Espanyol. 

Suspensions

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Guilherme Siqueira's sending off early in the second half at the Anoeta ultimately proved decisive against Real Sociedad, who capitalised on 10-man Atletico to record an important come-from-behind win. 

The Brazilian's pair of yellow cards continued a very mixed season for the left-back, who's interspersed adventurous bursts with rash moments of puzzling defending since his summer switch from Granada. 

On Saturday, Cristian Ansaldi will be the man to replace Siqueira, who, having recently overcome a hamstring complaint, made his return when brought on by Simeone against Real Sociedad after Siqueira's sending off. 

What Other Changes Should Be Made?

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Simeone has experimented with a number of formations this season, but the one we really want to see more of is the aggressive 4-3-3 that looked so fluid and dynamic against Malmo FF in the Champions League.

On that evening, Los Colchoneros emerged from a sluggish opening to the season in attack, with Antoine Griezmann and Arda Turan flanking Mandzukic up front to significantly bolster the team's forward presence.

After playing only five minutes against his old club before the international break, Griezmann will surely come into the starting XI for Garcia, which makes the switch to a 4-3-3 more natural, given his suitability for the left-sided berth in attack.

Elsewhere, Mario Suarez's position is under threat after an indifferent performance last time out, which could open the door for 20-year-old midfielder Saul Niguez. 

A versatile player at the heart of a formation, the young Spaniard has looked at ease at this level in his few appearances this season and could add some exuberance to a side who lacked that against Real Sociedad. 

Lineup

Bleacher Report

The important point in the possible switch to a 4-3-3 for this clash is the need to add penetration and diversity to the attack against a Malaga outfit with an outstanding defensive record. 

And given that the visitors look to use an offside trap with a relatively high defensive line, Atletico must pose the threat of getting in behind Malaga with pace—something Griezmann can provide when linking up with Turan.