Atleti arrive depleted: Domenech and Javi Gil suspended

Atletico de Madrid head into the mini-derby vs Real Madrid with multiple absences after their first loss of the season. They were beaten last Friday 1-3 by Villarreal B, and the game at Alfredo di Stéfano kicks off this Friday at 21:15.

Two bans for reds

In the RFEF’s published disciplinary ruling, Marc Domenech received a one-match ban for violent conduct related to the game, while Javi Gil was hit with a two-match ban for violent behavior away from play, with no chance to challenge for the ball.

Atleti tried to reduce Gil’s punishment, arguing a “manifest material error” because the incident happened in the context of a ball challenge. The authority rejected it, saying the footage does not overturn what the referee wrote in the match report.

Derbi gets harder

Coach Fernando Torres will therefore have to manage the derby without an expected starting wide player and without the central missing through suspension. Sergio Esteban and Álvaro Santos are also doubtful due to injury.