Atletico Madrid travel to La Roselda on Saturday to face Malaga in a match that has implications on both ends. Malaga need the victory in their quest to finish the season with a Europa League spot while Atleti need a bit of breathing room for the final Champions League position.
This season has not been as smooth as last season for Los Rojiblancos as they are currently sitting in third, but nine points behind Barcelona. One of the things that has been missing from El Cholo's side this season is that physical presence up front that can bully the opposition's backline. Yes, they got a good replacement in Mario Mandzukic -- 12 goals in 24 league apperances -- but does not provide that physical nature that Diego Costa did. Atletico now play a much more creative style of football with the main culprit being Frenchman Antoinne Griezmann, who can also bang in the goals.
The reigning Primera Division champions have been on a really good run of form the last few weeks having only given up one goal in their last seven matches. However, three draws to start this stretch severly hurt their title chances which means that their hopes of retaining the crown are over. Furthermore, Diego Simeone's club still has a bit of work to do to get a Champions League spot and a win against Malaga will do a world of good.
Malaga has done better than a lot of people expected at the start of the season as the hosts are currently five points back for the final Europa League spot -- behind Villarreal. Their last result was a bit of a shock as they lost to lowly Eibar by a 1-0 margins at the Estadio Municipal de Ipurúa thanks to a strike from Mikel Arruabarrena in the 52nd minute. That has not been their only blow in the last few weeks, unfortunately, as Malaga has not won all three points since the 15th of March. In this stretch, they lost to Rayo Vallecano away from home and drew with David Moyes' side at La Roselda.
One thing that has been missing from Javi Garcia's side this campaign has been a consistant goal scorer. Malaga have a good variety as eleven different footballers have found the back of the net thus far. But none of them have cracked the double figures in that category; 21-year-old Juanmi is closest with 7 goals. Most of their core forwards are fairly young and another season under their belts will do them wonders to their confidence and ability.
Malaga will be without Ignacio Camacho, as he is still out with a sports hernia, and 20-year-old Panaminian defender Roberto Chen who has not played a minute this year being out with a torn ACL. Simeone will be missing Mario Mandzukic and Raul Garcia are sidelined due to injury and Gabi and Mario Suarez are both suspended for this match.