´Outstanding´ Le Normand will get Atletico chance, says Simeone

Diego Simeone confirmed that defender Robin Le Normand will get more game time after missing Atletico Madrid’s last two matches since returning from a brain injury.

Le Normand, who made the move from Real Sociedad to Atletico earlier this year, sustained the injury in a 1-1 draw with Real Madrid back in September.

The Spaniard made his return to competitive action during their Copa del Rey second round triumph over Cacereno earlier this month, but has not featured since.

Simeone’s side face Getafe in LaLiga this Sunday, and the Atletico boss said that Le Normand will get his opportunity to shine in the weeks to come.

“Robin is an outstanding defender and there are team-mates who are competing at their best,” Simeone told reporters.

“He is noble and works to have the opportunity to help. He will get his turn. We need everyone.”

Things we love to see pic.twitter.com/5F5pZcKWub

— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) December 10, 2024

Atletico come into Saturday’s clash in impressive form, winning their last five LaLiga matches, scoring four or more goals in their last two, which is their longest winning streak in the competition since October 2023 (W6).

This run of results has been spearheaded by the goal-scoring duo of Antoine Griezmann and Julian Alvarez, both of whom were on target during their 3-1 victory over Slovan Bratislava in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Griezmann has registered 17 goal involvements (11 goals, six assists) across all competitions this season, while Alvarez has scored 12 times since his move from Manchester City earlier this year.

“They have been growing from the understanding, they progress in that partnership that is being generated and when (Angel) Correa or (Alexander) Sorloth come in, the team is fed,” Simeone said.

“We have four very important strikers and we need the best from each of them.”

Griezmann will be hopeful of keeping up his recent scoring streak having scored 12 goals in 25 appearances against Getafe in LaLiga, only scoring more against Valencia (13 in 25 games) in the competition.

36 – @AntoGriezmann has scored 36 goals in 79 appearances for @atletienglish in the #UCL, all under Diego Pablo Simeone. Only Messi under Pep Guardiola (43) and Salah under Jürgen Klopp (41) have scored more goals under the same manager in the competition. Usual. pic.twitter.com/pWSn21g9ou

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) December 11, 2024

Atletico find themselves third in LaLiga, three points behind leaders Barcelona but with a game in hand, winning each of their last 10 matches across all competitions.

Against this weekend’s opponents, Atletico are unbeaten in their last 23 meetings in LaLiga (W19 D4), which is their joint-longest run against a single opponent in the top-flight (also 23 against CD Malaga between 1954 and 1957, W12 D11).

But Simeone, who has won 19 games against Getafe as Atletico coach, insisted that this weekend’s clash would be a difficult test for his side.

“The only way to take care of things is to generate work and commitment. Then it’s a game and many things can happen,” Simeone said.

“I’ve always seen them (Getafe) as a very competitive team who have a clear idea of how they want to play.

“With their coach they can compete where they are, and we can’t imagine a game without difficulties, competitive in midfield.”