“Simeone will make wholesale changes to his Atletico side on Saturday,” a source close to the team stated. Atlético Madrid prepares to face Valencia at the Estadio de Mestalla on May 2, 2026. The match comes just days after a 1-1 draw with Arsenal in the Champions League semi-final first leg.
As of midday, Atlético Madrid sits fourth in La Liga with 60 points. They are ten points ahead of fifth-placed Real Betis but have struggled recently, losing seven of their last ten games across all competitions. In contrast, Valencia ranks twelfth with 39 points, having won their last match against Girona 2-1.
Historically, Valencia has faced Atlético Madrid 200 times, winning 66 of those encounters. Their last meeting ended in a narrow 2-1 victory for Atlético. However, this time Valencia is eager to capitalize on Atlético’s potential distraction.
Valencia will be without key players Mouctar Diakhaby and Dimitri Foulquier due to injuries. Coach Carlos Corberán hopes Umar Sadiq can continue his scoring form—he netted two goals in his last two appearances for the team.
Key statistics:
- Atletico Madrid has won only four of their 16 away league games this season.
- Valencia has a record of 10 wins, 9 draws, and 14 defeats from 33 matches this season.
- Valencia is five points clear of the relegation zone.
As both teams prepare for this crucial matchup, uncertainty looms over how Atlético’s focus on the Champions League will impact their performance in La Liga. With injuries affecting Valencia’s lineup and Atlético’s recent form under scrutiny, fans anticipate an intense battle at Mestalla.
