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| The loss of Diego Godin couldn't have come at a worse time for Atletico Madrid. |
Following the emotional rollercoaster that was the eventual downing of PSV Eindhoven on penalties in the Champions League last 16, Diego Simeone must put the euphoria behind him and quickly turn his attention to Atletico Madrid's trip to Sporting Gijon on Saturday.
Never one to get too carried away, the Argentine will ensure that his squad are in the right frame of mind as they travel to the lowly Asturian side fighting for their lives at the wrong end of the table.
With nine games to go Abelardo Fernandez's side sit joint-bottom and are four points from safety. Moving forward they need every point they can get and will be looking to make the most of home advantage and Simeone will be aware of that.
At El Molinon on the opening day of the season Sporting held Real Madrid to an impressive 0-0 draw, while Barcelona were made to fight for their 3-1 victory there last month. Atleti, who currently sit in second and will be looking to maintain their four-point gap over city rivals Real, know they will be in for a scrap.
While gritty, nuggety football suits Simeone and his outfit down to the ground, Los Colchoneros will have to make the trip to the northwestern coast without the pillar on which their watertight defence has been built upon over the past few seasons: Diego Godin.
The Uruguayan -- who is criminally underrated everywhere except the Vicente Calderon and his native country -- is enjoying yet another stellar campaign and has made 27 La Liga starts from a possible 29 thus far for Los Rojiblancos.
His performances over the past three years have seen him catch the eye, and while he will never be as high-profile as the likes of Sergio Ramos or Thiago Silva, no Atletico fan would trade him for either of the aforementioned -- or anyone else for that matter.
He was heavily linked with a move to Manchester City in the summer but cemented his place in the hearts of the Calderon faithful forever, turning down Manuel Pellegrini's overtures to extend his contract in the Spanish capital until 2019. None of the Ramos-esque flirting in order to increase his paycheque, no considerations. Godin embodies Atletico Madrid under Simeone.
His ever-presence has not only seen the side's ultra-stingy defence ship just 12 goals from 29 league games, but his leadership and guidance have also aided young duo Jose Maria Gimenez and Jan Oblak in taking quantum leaps forward as players. The former is arguably the standout defender in world football, while the Slovenian has done the seemingly impossible and banished the memory of Thibaut Courtois.
Therefore when the club announced he picked up a muscle injury that forced him off in the closing stages of normal time against PSV, it was big blow and one that the coaching staff, players and fans alike will like him back sooner rather than later.
His presence will be deeply missed against the likes of Antonio Sanabria and Jony, who with their guile and trickery will be breathing a sigh of relief they do not have to confront the uncompromising 30-year-old.
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