The Mario Mandzukic dossier

Atleti, who have recovered third place and are on an ascending line, will welcome Real Sociedad with a deserved smile which has been somewhat dulled by the confusing case of Mario Mandzukic. The Croatian has not had a shot on goal in open play since February 15. Since then he has featured in five matches, in which a solitary penalty broke the drought.

Mandzukic has been seen as listless on the pitch at various moments and it has raised inevitable questions: Has the competition with Fernando Torres affected him (2.1 shots per match before Torres’ return and 0.9 shots per match after his arrival)? Have the rumours about his departure had an effect? Diego Simeone responded to those questions on Monday by explaining that his top-scorer (20 goals) has been playing with an injury (an injury in his right ankle) for the past ten games and on Sunday, at Córdoba, he asked to stop. Simeone will line up his side tonight with Torres partnering Antoine Griezmann in attack.

As always, the answers generate new questions. Especially if, as Cholo said, the coach did not know until Sunday that his centre-forward was playing at 70%. It seems like an important detail…We will see what happens with Mandzukic in summer but, until then, Simeone knows that he is essential for the decisive stretch of the season and his impassioned public defence proved it. Now it’s time for the Croat to make his move.

While Mandzukic recovers, Atleti cannot afford to stop to wait for anyone. Valencia and Sevilla are battling for a Champions League place too and La Real already robbed points off Simeone’s men at Anoeta (2-1). Arda Turan returns to the starting XI and Juanfran’s suspension offers a chance for redemption for Guilherme Siqueira – Jesús Gámez will return to his natural position on the right and the Brazilian will take up his berth on the left.

As Miguel Ángel Moyà is still out injured, Jan Oblak will have 90 additional minutes to keep goal. The return of Miranda and José María Giménez’s magnificent form will allow Cholo to rest Diego Godín.

Griezmann. No frills, David Moyes has revived a La Real side that shines less, but resolves problems more. At the Calderón, he could send out the most industrial version of his team, without Esteban Granero and Sergio Canales.

As Carlos Vela has failed to recover full fitness after his injury, much of Sociedad’s hope will reside in the man who has been most decisive in their recent awakening: Gerónimo Rulli, the 22-year-old goalkeeper. In front of him he will face Griezmann, the man who, after nine years with La Real blood coursing through his veins, is now a fearsome treat. And, based on what was seen at Córdoba, the Frenchman was healthy. Exuberantly healthy.

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