Le Normand in the mix for Atleti, Simeone says
Diego Simeone has confirmed that defender Robin Le Normand will get more game time after missing Atletico Madrid's past 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 in September.
The Spaniard made his return to competitive action during a Copa del Rey second-round triumph over Cacereno earlier this month, but has not featured since.
Simeone's side faces Getafe in LaLiga on Monday (AEDT), 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 said.
"He is noble and works to have the opportunity to help. He will get his turn. We need everyone."
Atletico comes into the Getafe clash in impressive form, winning its past five LaLiga matches, scoring four or more goals in its past two, which is its longest winning streak in the competition since October 2023 when it won six straight.
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 a 3-1 victory over Slovan Bratislava in the UEFA Champions League in midweek.
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.
Atletico is third in LaLiga, three points behind leader Barcelona but with a game in hand, winning each of its past 10 matches across all competitions.
Against this weekend's opponent, Atletico is unbeaten in its past 23 meetings in LaLiga, which is its joint-longest run against a single opponent in the top-flight, also 23 against Malaga between 1954 and 1957.
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," he said.
"I've always seen it [Getafe] as a very competitive team which has a clear idea of how it wants to play.
"With its coach it can compete where it is, and we can't imagine a game without difficulties, competitive in midfield."
