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Atlético Madrid will start the New Year without two of their key players, as Maxi Rodríguez and Maniche have been ruled out of the match with Valencia this weekend...
Atlético Madrid might be the form side heading into their clash with Valencia this weekend, but the capital team will have to do without two key players for the match.
Both Maniche and Maxi Rodríguez will not be fit for the trip to the Mestalla, and the Argentine will stay at home to ensure he is fit for the Copa Del Rey clash with Barcelona in the week.
Marca reports that the Portuguese international Maniche is struggling due to bruising, whilst Maxi has muscular problems, and needs to rest.
With these losses, coach Javier Aguirre has decided to bring in Luis García and Raúl García as the replacements, with the former on the right wing and the latter in the middle of the pitch.
Luis García is yet to impress the Atlético Madrid fans, but a performance against a team like Valencia would certainly earn him some plaudits, whilst Raúl García has been in and out of the team since the start of the season.
Elsewhere there are no surprises for Atlético, with Leo Franco in goal, a back four of Luis Perea, Tomas Ujfalusi, Johnny Heitinga and Mariano Pernía, then a midfield of Simao, Paulo Assuncao and both Garcías, with Sergio Agüero and Diego Forlán up front.
The only other news concerning the squad is that on-loan Valencia midfielder, Éver Banega has been replaced by Giourkas Seitaridis, as he cannot play against the club that owns him.
Atlético Madrid might be the form side heading into their clash with Valencia this weekend, but the capital team will have to do without two key players for the match.
Both Maniche and Maxi Rodríguez will not be fit for the trip to the Mestalla, and the Argentine will stay at home to ensure he is fit for the Copa Del Rey clash with Barcelona in the week.
Marca reports that the Portuguese international Maniche is struggling due to bruising, whilst Maxi has muscular problems, and needs to rest.
With these losses, coach Javier Aguirre has decided to bring in Luis García and Raúl García as the replacements, with the former on the right wing and the latter in the middle of the pitch.
Luis García is yet to impress the Atlético Madrid fans, but a performance against a team like Valencia would certainly earn him some plaudits, whilst Raúl García has been in and out of the team since the start of the season.
Elsewhere there are no surprises for Atlético, with Leo Franco in goal, a back four of Luis Perea, Tomas Ujfalusi, Johnny Heitinga and Mariano Pernía, then a midfield of Simao, Paulo Assuncao and both Garcías, with Sergio Agüero and Diego Forlán up front.
The only other news concerning the squad is that on-loan Valencia midfielder, Éver Banega has been replaced by Giourkas Seitaridis, as he cannot play against the club that owns him.
