How will Atlético de Madrid line up against Valencia?
With the Champions League in mind, the “B team” will get another chance to impress.
MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 29: Antoine Griezmann of Atletico Madrid applauds the fans at the end of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Semi Final First Leg match between Atletico de Madrid and Arsenal FC at on April 29, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images) | Getty Images Sandwiched in between the two legs of Atlético de Madrid’s UEFA Champions League semifinal is a matchday 34 showdown with Valencia in LaLiga. It’s a Saturday afternoon kickoff at Mestalla, where Atlético will rotate heavily once again amid injuries to key players — who will be afforded further rest following Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal in the Metropolitano.
#Atleti "Julián no habría llegado al sábado, Sorloth no habría llegado, Giuliano no habría llegado, José no habría llegado…" Simeone, sobre el estado físico de su plantilla para afrontar la recta final de #LaLiga … y la vuelta de semifinales de Champions que viene después. pic. twitter.
com/G2TQPh68nn — MARCA (@marca) May 1, 2026 Atlético Madrid (18-6-9, 60 points) snapped a four-game losing skid in LaLiga last weekend with a 3-2 home win over Athletic Club. The Rojiblancos remain five points behind Villarreal for third place, but top four — and a 14th successive qualification to the main phase of the Champions League — is not in any danger given Atlético’s 10-point gap to Real Betis in fifth place. And if Atleti go on to knock out Arsenal in midweek, Spain is well-positioned to receive a fifth Champions League place for next season due to the country’s strong UEFA coefficient.
Valencia (10-9-14, 39 points) are five points clear of the drop zone and five points adrift of Getafe in sixth place — which is a UEFA Europa Conference League qualifying place. It means Los Che, sat 12th in the table, are in no man’s land as the season enters its final few weeks. As it stands, Valencia are ticketed for a fourth bottom-half finish in six seasons, though it appears Carlos Corberán’s men will avoid what would be a disastrous relegation.