Diego Simeone and Gabi finished Atletico's training session on Tuesday with a 20-minute private conversation. The coach wanted to talk to his captain not only because it's a key week for the Rojiblancos but also because the six points that Atleti are already behind neighbours Real cannot be allowed to be increased any more.
Gabi, who has been present in every training session that Atleti have had during this international break, acknowledged the same. Once the rest of the team had left Pitch 4 of the Sports City, both took turns to speak whilst the other listened. Gestures and raised voices indicated a difference of opinion at times, which is why it was a full 20 minutes before El Cholo was satisfied and ended the talk.Saturday's Madrid derby have been hampered by an international break that has seen them not only sustain injuries to key players such as Antoine Griezmann and Jan Oblak, but also schedule just two full first-team training sessions in the build-up.
Worryingly for coach Diego Simeone, the knocks to Griezmann and goalkeeper Oblak sustained over the past week will be compounded by the late return home of South American stars Diego Godin, Jose Gimenez, Filipe Luis and Angel Correa; all of whom will have travelled thousands of miles and thus be in need of rest ahead of the clash. Essential to El Cholo for the match against Atleti's cross-city rivals, Oblak is already back in Madrid receiving treatment on a back injury while Griezmann's foot problem means he will miss France's friendly match with Ivory Coast on Tuesday. Both players are said to be recovering well, however, the danger for Simeone is that without this group of six during training, plans for the Madrid derby will be unable to be honed to any real degree.
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