Atleti head into their first Champions League home game of the season against Manchester United with a full squad available and momentum from a hard-fought 2-1 win at Alavés, where Cuti Romero's 87th-minute header proved decisive. The Metropolitano hosts United on matchday 2 of the UCL group phase — this is the week's main event.
Grimaldo opened the scoring, Le Normand's penalty concession allowed Boyé to equalise before the break, and Alavés were reduced to ten men after a VAR red for Ángel Pérez. Cuti Romero headed the winner in the 87th minute. Three points, but Atleti were made to work hard against ten men — a recurring concern.
Wins at Pizjuán, Anoeta, and now Mendizorroza signal a genuine shift in Atleti's road form. After years of being unreliable away from the Metropolitano, Simeone's side are becoming a legitimate threat everywhere.
Grimaldo and Cuti Romero again proved the point — Atleti's defence is arguably their most potent attacking weapon this season. Seven of their 19 goals across all competitions have come from defenders, a remarkable and telling statistic.
Simeone trained with a complete squad in the final session before hosting Manchester United in UCL matchday 2. No injury concerns heading into the biggest home game of the European campaign so far.
Both spoke at the official UCL pre-match presser. Simeone kept it grounded: 'The final is at the Metropolitano, but let's focus on reality.' Notably flagged that Lookman is still not where he or the club wants him physically, though he trains daily.
The United boss publicly respects the threat, calling what Simeone has built 'extraordinary.' Reading between the lines, United will set up to not lose rather than go for it — which suits Atleti's counter-pressing game perfectly.
LaLiga matchday 12 scheduling is out. The clásico rojiblanco — already loaded with tension after the Julián Álvarez transfer saga — is set for a prime-time Sunday slot at the Metropolitano.
The Atalanta signing continues to train but isn't at the level Simeone or the club want. No timeline given. Worth monitoring ahead of a heavy fixture run.