Atlético trails Barcelona by two points as Simeone defends Lee Kang-in

By Luís Henrique Costa 2026-11-08 16:43 BRT3 min read

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Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone defended the playing time of Lee Kang-in and Jonathan David before the team’s La Liga match against Barcelona, and he indicated that Lee may start. The game is at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano in Madrid, and Atlético sits second in the table.

Asked at a press conference about the reduced minutes of the two players, Simeone questioned what would count as too little time on the pitch and what the ideal number of minutes would be. He rejected the idea that there is a problem in how he manages his squad.

Simeone rejects claims that Lee Kang-in and Jonathan David play too little

Simeone said his players receive the minutes in which they can help the team most. In his words, “I believe they’re playing the minutes in which they can bring something positive to the team.” He added that the coach’s job is to help each player perform at his best in his position, and that it matters more whether a player can contribute than whether his minutes fit a fixed number.

The criticism comes at a time when Lee has had fewer starts. The source says he began on the bench in Atlético’s 0-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, and came on in the second half for about 30 minutes. Over the season, however, Lee has started nine of his 11 La Liga matches, a figure that puts his recent reduction in context.

Barcelona vs Atlético: kickoff, venue and league standings

The match is set for Sunday, November 8, 2026, and it carries weight in the table. Barcelona leads the standings and Atlético is one place behind, with only two points between the teams before the game.

Keep reading: PSG midfielder Lee Kang-in agrees with Atlético de Madrid and should return to Spanish football

Date: Sunday, November 8, 2026
Kickoff: 5 p.m. Brasília time (8 p.m. in London)
Venue: Riyadh Air Metropolitano, Madrid
Competition: La Liga, round 12
Standings before the match: Barcelona 30 points, Atlético 28 points
Result for Atlético: a win would take the team to 31 points and first place

Simeone also spoke about the opponent. He recently said Barcelona is “possibly the best” team in the world and that games against them are always hard. “Matches against Barcelona are always tough and difficult fights,” he said. “We must play the game in a way that can threaten the opponent.”

Lee Kang-in’s season: 2 goals and 1 assist in La Liga

Lee joined Atlético after leaving Paris Saint-Germain last summer, according to the source. In 11 La Liga matches this season, he has scored two goals and provided one assist. He has been a starter in nine of those games, which is the number that gives his bench role against Bayern its weight.

Spanish media and a football data platform both predict that Lee will start against Barcelona, playing behind Julián Álvarez in a 4-4-2. The predictions also list Koke as a likely starter, in place of Romain Le Normand and Alexander Sørloth. The source describes the forecast the same way, but no official lineup from Atlético appears in the sources consulted.

Lee Kang-in injury doubt: one source reports a muscle problem

A specialized publication lists Lee as a doubt because of a muscle injury, and it keeps the predicted lineup only if his physical condition allows it. That report comes from a single source, and the club has not confirmed it. Lee’s fitness for Sunday is therefore not known.

The source also says Lee is expected to join the South Korea national team after the Barcelona match, for friendlies in Qatar. That call-up has not been verified in an independent source.