Atlético ‘lose’ nine internationals

Atlético Madrid are once again entering an international break with a heavily depleted squad, something that has become a familiar headache for Diego Simeone throughout his long tenure at the club.

This time around, as many as ten first-team players will be away on duty with their national teams, leaving the Argentine coach with only a reduced group of reserves, youngsters and squad players to work with in training. The timing could hardly be worse, as Atlético are preparing for their next La Liga fixture, a demanding clash at the Metropolitano against Villarreal, a side known for their tactical discipline and ability to punish opponents who are not at their sharpest.

Among the ten players called up, Argentina once again stands out as the national team that has pulled most heavily from Simeone’s squad. Nico González, who only just arrived in Madrid and is still completing the necessary formalities before boarding his flight, will soon join up with Lionel Scaloni’s squad. Once there he will reunite with four other Atlético men: Nahuel Molina, Giuliano Simeone, Thiago Almada and Julián. Five players from the same club in one national team is a testament to the quality of talent Argentina can draw upon, but for Atlético it represents a major disruption. These players will be flying across the Atlantic, training in intense sessions, and possibly playing in high-stakes fixtures before returning to Madrid with little recovery time. Simeone will have to integrate them back into the team on very short notice, hoping they come back fit and without injuries.

The remaining internationals are spread across Europe. Robin Le Normand is with Spain, a reflection of his consistency at both club and international level, while David Hancko travels to Slovakia’s camp. Jan Oblak, the team’s captain and perhaps their most important individual figure, will be defending Slovenia’s goal once again, depriving Simeone of one of his leaders on the training pitch. Giacomo Raspadori has been called up by Italy, bringing his versatility to Luciano Spalletti’s plans, and Alexander Sorloth will be spearheading Norway’s attack. These absences, combined with the five Argentines, leave Simeone without the spine of his team across almost every line of the pitch defence, midfield and attack.

What makes the situation even more frustrating is that the number could easily have been higher. Atlético would have had twelve men away on international duty were it not for the muscular injuries suffered by Álex Baena and José María Giménez. Both are usually untouchable for their national teams, Spain and Uruguay respectively, but the setbacks mean they remain in Madrid to continue their recovery. While their presence in the Spanish capital ensures Simeone has at least two more experienced figures around the squad, the fact that they are injured means they cannot meaningfully contribute to training sessions either. It leaves Atlético in the awkward position of having fewer players available for work than they might like, and with a Villarreal team looming that will be eager to exploit any weakness.

For Simeone, international breaks have always been a double-edged sword. On one hand, the fact that so many of his players are called up underlines the quality and international recognition of his squad. On the other hand, these interruptions disrupt rhythm, leave him with little to no time to work on tactical details, and often return players who are either fatigued or carrying knocks. The Argentine coach has built his reputation on intensity, organisation and demanding discipline, but these factors are much harder to instil when half of the squad is thousands of kilometres away. By the time the internationals return, there are usually only two or three days before the next La Liga fixture, leaving little opportunity for adjustments.

This pattern has been repeated many times in recent seasons, and Atlético have often struggled in the games immediately following an international break. Long travel times, especially for South American players, tend to affect energy levels, and Simeone frequently finds himself forced to rotate or rely on players who have not seen much action. This is the hidden cost of having a squad full of internationals: it brings prestige, but it also brings disruption. Clubs like Atlético, who cannot afford the same depth of resources as Real Madrid or Manchester City, often feel this more acutely.

The upcoming match against Villarreal is a perfect example of why these breaks are so problematic. Villarreal are not only a direct rival in the race for European places but also a team that thrives on exploiting small margins. They are well organised, disciplined, and capable of frustrating opponents who lack cohesion. With Atlético’s main attacking threats and defensive leaders away, Simeone has to prepare using a skeleton squad. He will likely lean heavily on the younger members of the team and those not involved in international football, using the break as a chance to give them more attention, but the reality is that these players may not be the ones who start when Villarreal arrive at the Metropolitano.

For the players themselves, the situation is bittersweet. Being called up for their countries is a source of pride and recognition, but it also means a grueling schedule. The South American contingent in particular face long-haul flights, changes in climate, and the physical demands of CONMEBOL qualifiers, which are notoriously competitive. For Molina, Giuliano, Almada, Julián and Nico González, the international break will be anything but restful. By the time they return to Madrid, fatigue could be an issue, and Simeone will be forced to decide whether to throw them straight into the starting eleven or rely on others who have had a full two weeks of training in Spain.

Atlético Madrid’s situation highlights once again the tension between club and international football. For Simeone, this is a familiar battle: the desire to build continuity and tactical cohesion constantly interrupted by the needs of national teams. For Atlético’s supporters, it brings nervous anticipation every time international breaks roll around, as they wait to see not only how their players perform but whether they return unscathed. This time, with ten players gone and two more out injured, the concern is particularly high.

The hope for Atlético is that this international break passes without major incident, that the players return fit, and that Simeone can quickly refocus the squad on the domestic challenge ahead. Villarreal’s visit will be an immediate test of resilience, discipline and preparation. If Atlético manage to win, it will once again underline Simeone’s ability to find solutions under difficult circumstances. If they stumble, however, the international break will inevitably be cited as a factor.