Red-hot Atletico can confirm title credentials against struggling Sevilla
Download the Sports Brief App for More Trending and Breaking News!
Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid seem primed to battle La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid for the title this season and are looking to flex their muscles against Europa League champions Sevilla on Sunday.
Atletico ripped apart city rivals Rayo Vallecano on Monday with a 7-0 triumph on the road, their largest ever away win, and bottom-of-the-table Sevillavisit without a single point on the board.
Jose Luis Mendilibar's visitors to the Metropolitano stadium have lost their three opening league games for the first time since 1996.
Atletico are without injured forward Memphis Depay, who scored against Rayo but was then taken off with a thigh problem.
However his replacement Alvaro Morata struck twice off the bench and is set to lead the line against Sevilla alongside Antoine Griezmann.
The French forward was crucial for Atletico last season as they enjoyed a stunning run of form in the second half of the campaign, which cooled speculation on Simeone's future at the club.
Barca set up new home without suspended Xavi
FootballThe Madrid side were knocked out of the Champions League in a torrid spell before the winter World Cup in Qatar, but recovered brilliantly after.
Atletico once again looked the force which the Argentine led to La Ligatriumphs in 2014 and 2021, giving credence to the idea they can seriously compete for the title again this season.
However Simeone, in his typical calm approach off the field — in the dug-out he is a whirlwind of emotion — played down his team's chances.
«I will not change (my opinion) because of one game in which we were really efficient,» Simeone said after crushing Rayo.
«Madrid and Barcelona are better than the rest
Read on sportsbrief.com
