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Simeone's line-up surprise: Marcos Llorente moves back into midfield
With Pablo Barrios alongside him and Julián Alvarez suspended against Bayern Munich, Simeone wants to build a new central-midfield partnership
Nacho Donado runs through the line-up Simeone has tried out for the trip to Levante.
Rubén Uría is surprised to see Marcos Llorente in midfield in the line-up trials. Nacho Donado explains why: there are too many bodies at the back with 'Cuti' returning and too few in midfield, with Koke and Cardoso short of full fitness.
Rubén Uría raises what he sees as the big surprise in Simeone's trial line-up: Marcos Llorente would move back into central midfield.
Nacho Donado sees it as predictable. Atlético have more options in defence than in midfield, where Obed Vargas and Mendoza are available, and the game against Levante serves as a dress rehearsal before a week with two home matches, against Bayern Munich and FC Barcelona. With 'Cuti' Romero back, Simeone has a surplus of players at the back, while in midfield Koke and Johnny Cardoso are short of full fitness.
On top of that, one player is suspended for the Champions League clash with Bayern Munich, which is pushing Simeone to shore up and fine-tune the Pablo Barrios - Marcos Llorente partnership he has been rehearsing in training. That is why the trial line-up starts with Jan Oblak in goal and a back three.