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2022/23 Spanish La Liga
Matchday 3
Valencia v Atletico Madrid
Mestalla
Valencia, Spain
Monday, 29 August 2022
Kick-off is at 22h00
Atletico Madrid will be targeting a return to winning ways in
La Liga when they take on Valencia at the Mestalla on Monday, August 29.
Los Colchoneros got off to a good start as they brushed aside Getafe 3-0 at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez in the opening round before dropping three points the following weekend.
Diego Simeone's side suffered a disappointing 2-0 defeat at home to Villarreal, who struck twice in the second half through Yeremi Pino (73') and Gerard Moreno (90').
Atleti trail the Yellow Submarine and arch-rivals Real Madrid by three points in eighth place and they'll be looking to get their title challenge back on track in Valencia.
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Simeone spoke about potential comings and goings in the final weeks of the transfer window following the loss to Villarreal, indicating that his squad would not be weakened.
"I am one to work and not to ask questions, we have a very complete squad," the Argentine said.
"Hopefully those of us who are here will stay, and if one leaves, another will arrive, and neither club nor the team will be harmed. It's a team that will compete in La Liga much better this season."
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Los Che also have three points on the board after they beat Girona 1-0 on the opening weekend despite playing the majority of the second half with just 10 men following the dismissal of Eray Comert on 52 minutes.
Gennaro Gattuso's troops then went down to Athletic Bilbao by the same scoreline on matchday 2, leaving them just behind Atletico in ninth position.
Gattuso admitted the Bilbao crowd added spice to the encounter, although he felt that his players coped well with the atmosphere to deliver a performance that pleased the head coach.
"It is not at all easy to play at a stadium like San Mames," the Italian said. "I want to congratulate the San Mames crowd: It's the first time I've come here, I never had the opportunity to visit here during my time as a player and it's a stadium with an atmosphere that you feel a lot.
"It's not easy to play here, but I really liked the way the team played despite the defeat. This was a game that we prepared very well. We knew that they have very fast players, who play on the counterattack and, whilst it is true that at times we had difficulties, I really liked the way that we played."
Head-to-Head (Last Five La Liga Meetings)
Matches - 5
Valencia - 0
Atletico - 3
Draws - 2
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