Atletico Madrid face a crucial test of character as they travel to Pamplona to take on Osasuna in La Liga Matchday 36 this Tuesday. After a string of frustrating results, Diego Simeone's side will be desperate to get back to winning ways.
The Rojiblancos come into this fixture on the back of a tough week. Their Champions League dreams were dashed in the semi-finals by Arsenal, falling to a narrow 1-0 defeat despite a much-improved second-half performance. That disappointment carried over into their next outing, where they suffered another 1-0 loss to Celta Vigo—a game that perfectly summed up their recent struggles.
According to FotMob, Atletico created chances worth 2.18 xG against Celta, compared to just 0.13 for their opponents, yet still couldn't find the back of the net. It's a worrying trend for a team known for its defensive solidity and clinical edge. While they've already secured Champions League football for next season thanks to Spain's extra qualification spot, Simeone will want his squad to finish the campaign on a high note.
However, the injury list is growing. Star forward Julián Álvarez is expected to miss out after picking up an ankle injury in Europe, leaving a significant gap in attack. In midfield, Johnny Cardoso is out for the season, while Pablo Barrios and Álex Baena are also unavailable—Baena through suspension. The defence is equally stretched, with Nahuel Molina, José María Giménez, and Giuliano Simeone all sidelined.
With so many key players missing, much of the responsibility will fall on experienced heads like Antoine Griezmann and Koke. Alexander Sorloth is likely to lead the line, while Clément Lenglet is expected to slot into the backline.
Possible Atletico Madrid starting XI: Oblak; Ruggeri, Hancko, Lenglet, Pubill; Lookman, Baena, Koke, Llorente; Sorloth, Griezmann
The match kicks off at 8:30pm BST on Tuesday, 12th May, and will be broadcast live in the UK on Premier Sports 1. For Atletico, this is more than just a league game—it's a chance to prove they can bounce back from adversity and end the season with pride.