La Liga’s (LL) longest-serving active manager reunites with its newest appointee when Atlético Madrid mainstay Diego Simeone meets one of his predecessors in his current role, Sevilla head coach Quique Sánchez Flores. The fixture comes just four days after Atléti conceded two equalisers at home to Sánchez Flores’ previous club Getafe in a 3-3 draw – the first time this LL season that they have dropped points in consecutive matches.
Simeone nonetheless praised his players for a “huge effort” as their fourth competitive game in the space of nine days was made even harder by the first-half red card to defender Stefan Savić. Fatigue could therefore be a factor with another quick turnaround here, but starting this weekend with the league’s best home record (W8, D1) despite a very busy campaign stands the 2021/22 title winners in good stead.
Sevilla enjoyed an immediately successful start to life under Sánchez Flores, defeating top-flight opposition of any nationality for the first time in 16 attempts (D7, L8) by outclassing Granada 3-0 on the road. It was also their first clean sheet against a first-tier side in that period, something Sánchez Flores described as “important” when he celebrated the breakthrough victory.
While moving three points clear of the relegation zone will be a relief to the squad, there’s still a long way to go. Their last two LL wins were against relegation contenders (Granada and Almería), and Los Rojiblancos are arguably in no better shape than when they were thrashed 6-1 on their last trip to the Cívitas Metropolitano in March.
Players to watch: After his double against Getafe, Antoine Griezmann needs one more goal to become Atlético Madrid’s all-time leading scorer, a record he currently shares with club legend Luis Aragonés (173). Youssef En-Nesyri will be hoping to spoil any potential party, having netted in both of his last two H2H away encounters.
Hot stat: Five of the six clashes between these managers have been drawn or decided by a one-goal margin, with Simeone only losing one match (W3, D2, L1).
