Atletico Madrid welcome L'Hospitalet to the Vicente Calderon on Thursday in the second leg of their fourth-round Copa delRey clash.
Fresh from their 1-0 defeat to Villarreal on Sunday (Atletico's first loss at home in La Liga since May 2013), Diego Simeone's men will want to bounce back quickly in what should be a straightforward fixture for the Spanish champions.
Indeed, Atleti's 3-0 victory over the Segunda B outfit in the first leg in Catalonia two weeks ago has all but assured their path into the next round of the cup competition, allowing Simeone room for experimentation as the tie moves to Madrid.
Let's take a look at three things the manager could test on Thursday.
One of the things we wanted to see in Atletico's first clash with L'Hospitalet was Alessio Cerci deployed in a roaming role from the right flank.
In that regard, Simeone didn't disappoint at the Estadi La Feixa Llarga. In a 4-3-3, the Italian was used on the right wing, with Raul Jimenez stationed as the lone striker.
But for the second clash with the Catalans, the manager should look to bring Cerci closer to goal by pairing him alongside the Mexican.
Indeed, despite the team's first-leg win, Simeone's side put in a laboured performance in Catalonia and needed the introduction of Antoine Griezmann in the second half to propel them to victory. Though Cerci was the brightest spark in attack, he was too often found out wide delivering balls into the box, rather than being the most accomplished finisher stationed closer to goal capitalising on the chances created.
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Additionally, Atleti's run of games since that clash has seen Simeone deploy his customary 4-4-2 featuring Mario Mandzukic and Raul Garcia up front. Such consistency in his formation suggests the manager wants to maintain the presence of two forwards to ensure his team can execute their press as effectively as possible.
Testing Cerci as a secondary striker will enhance the team's threat against L'Hospitalet, while also giving an indication as to whether the Italian is capable of being an alternative to Garcia in that 4-4-2 in bigger matches.
As just mentioned, though we've seen an array of systems from Simeone this season (a 4-4-2, 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1 and a 4-1-4-1), many of Atletico's recent matches have seen the Argentine opt for two forwards in his trademark 4-4-2.
The rationale is simple: Such a shape allows his team to press higher, helping Atleti win the territory battle and negating the need to counter-attack—a tactic that's difficult without Diego Costa.
But the Spanish champions are now goalless in their last two matches and have looked creatively limited from midfield in their flat bank of four.
Thus, a switch to a midfield diamond represents a possible remedy to that problem.
By maintaining the presence of two out-and-out forwards, Simeone can be sure that his team will still be able to press, but an altered midfield complemented by flying full-backs could add some diversity to the team's attacks.
Should such a system be considered, perhaps most notable would be the creation of a true No. 10 role at the tip of the diamond.
Given that Atletico have lacked a source of creativity just behind the strikers this season (it's all come from the right flank with Arda Turan and Juanfran instead), an advanced central playmaker could help to give Los Colchoneros a different look.
Antoine Griezmann Positioned, well, Anywhere...
On the first day of November, Griezmann scored a brace to lead Atletico to a 4-2 victory over Cordoba. In the nine games since, he's made just two starts.
At first, his regular omissions from the starting XI felt precautionary. As the trend continued, it became a point of curiosity.
But now it's just baffling. Here we have a marquee, €30 million summer signing spending the bulk of his time on the bench.
