Atlético Madrid face tough schedule after international break

Atletico Madrid are preparing for a tough phase following the international break, as they will play 8 matches in 29 days, averaging a game every less than four days, amidst strong encounters in LaLiga and the UEFA Champions League.

Diego Simeone's team returns to action on October 10, when they visit Deportivo Alavés at the Mendizorrotza Stadium, before hosting Manchester United on October 13 in the second round of the UEFA Champions League, following their defeat to Liverpool in the first round.

According to "Mundo Deportivo", Atlético Madrid will play two away matches, against RCD Espanyol Barcelona on October 17, and then VfB Stuttgart on October 20 in the third round of the UEFA Champions League.

After facing RCD Espanyol Barcelona at the Metropolitano Stadium, the team will visit Levante, before playing two heavyweight matches in just four days, against Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League and FC Barcelona in LaLiga.

Atlético Madrid will need to approach these matches in good shape in both competitions, testing their ability to achieve results away from home, especially as 4 of their next 6 matches will be played away from their fans.

In LaLiga, FC Barcelona tops the table after winning all their matches, leading by 5 points over Atlético in second place, while the Madrid team awaits tough encounters against Liverpool, Manchester United, VfB Stuttgart, and Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League.

Simeone faces an additional challenge with 17 international players away from Madrid since last week, which may leave him with only one full training session before the match against Alavés, marking the start of an 8-match run for Atlético before the next international break.