The scoreline from the Madrid derby may have lifted Atlético de Madrid, but the timing of what comes next has made Simeone’s job far more complicated. On Saturday 10 October, Atlético travel to Mendizorroza in Vitoria to face Alavés in the eighth round of LaLiga 2026/27, and the selection puzzle is obvious: 17 players have just returned from national-team duty, while Manchester United wait on Tuesday in the Champions League.
That is the sort of schedule that tests more than form. It tests recovery, rotation and trust. Atlético arrive with 16 points, which is a strong enough platform to keep momentum alive, but it also means every choice now has a knock-on effect. Rest too many regulars and the level can drop; play too many of them and the fatigue risk rises before a far bigger European night.
The expected lineup reflects that balancing act. Jan Oblak remains the anchor and, as captain, still looks like a guarantee between the posts. In front of him, Marc Pubill is expected to be included after returning from the Selección with confidence following his headed goal against Croacia in the Nations League. Cristian Romero also stands out as increasingly important in this squad, bringing authority, anticipation and strong aerial work. Dávid Hancko adds a different kind of value on the left side: left-footed, clean in possession and dependable in one-v-one situations. Kang-in Lee gives Atlético another technical option as Simeone looks for control as much as intensity.
The biggest concern is Alejandro Grimaldo. He has returned with a quadriceps issue after his time with the Selección, and while his presence changes the team, his fitness cannot be taken for granted. That is the central tension of this match: Atlético need quality now, but they also need to think two steps ahead. With the Champions League coming only days later, even a seemingly straightforward league trip turns into a problem of workload and priorities.
Alavés can make that problem worse
Alavés are not arriving as passive opponents. They have been strong at home with three wins in four matches, which means Atlético cannot assume the match will be decided by reputation or momentum alone. Mendizorroza has been a difficult place to manage this season, and that makes Simeone’s decision-making even more delicate.
There is a broader point here too. Atlético are in a part of the calendar where every result can be read in two ways at once: as a league position check and as a preview of how the squad will hold up under pressure. That is why this game matters beyond the table. If Atlético win, they protect their 16-point start and preserve confidence after the derby. If they rotate too aggressively and lose rhythm, the cost may show up not only in Vitoria but again on Tuesday against Manchester United.
So the question is not simply who starts. It is whether Simeone can keep Atlético competitive on two fronts at once without asking too much of players who have just crossed back from international duty. That is the real challenge of Alavés vs Atlético Madrid.
