Sampaoli faces selection headache for Atlético in derby

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·13 Oktober 2025

Sampaoli faces selection headache for Atlético in derby

Coach Jorge Sampaoli will face a major challenge in selecting Atlético’s lineup for the derby against Cruzeiro next Wednesday (15th) at 9:30 PM, at Arena MRV. The Argentine manager is dealing with a long list of absences — especially in the defensive sector — and will likely have to turn to the youth academy to complete the squad.

Sampaoli’s main problem is in the defense. The coach will not be able to count on Lyanco, who suffered an Achilles tendon injury, nor on Vitor Hugo, who is suspended after receiving his third yellow card. In addition, Junior Alonso remains with the Paraguayan national team and was not released by the country’s federation.

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Meanwhile, Ivan Román was cut from the Chilean national team after suffering a hand injury and is now doubtful. The defender stayed in Atlético’s medical department over the weekend, and the club has not provided any information about his condition.

With so many absences, Sampaoli is expected to include a new face among those called up: the young Vitão, only 17 years old. The defender, a standout in the under-17 squad, did not travel with the youth team to Porto Alegre, where Galinho is playing the final of the Brazilian Championship, and could get his first chance with the senior team.

Sampaoli praised the work and highlighted the potential of the under-17 players:

We are noticing that this is a category that even has greater prospects than the under-20s. There are players with a different level. We are observing what could be the club’s future in the short term. They will rise very quickly because of their ability, despite their young age.

The Argentine coach’s headaches don’t stop at the defense. The midfield’s marking sector is also a concern. Alan Franco, called up by the Ecuadorian national team, was not released, and Igor Gomes is suspended. Without his starting duo, Sampaoli will have to improvise or rely on the pair formed by Fausto Vera and Gabriel Menino.

In a recent interview, the coach admitted the difficulty of assembling the team given the growing number of absences:

We have important, decisive absences. And with each match, we are losing players to serious injuries. What’s ahead will be increasingly difficult, and we need to be more and more organized.

With so many problems, Sampaoli is expected to bet on alternative solutions to face Cruzeiro.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.