Photo by M Gracia Jimenez/Soccrates/Getty Images

Atlético return to a place of dreams ? and nightmares. For the first time since a single-leg Champions League quarterfinal in 2020, Atlético de Madrid are heading to Lisbon for a league phase showdown against Portuguese giants Benfica on Wednesday night.
As the calendar flips to October, Atlético Madrid are battling through a growing injury list that has seen Los Colchoneros travel to the Portuguese capital without Pablo Barrios, César Azpilicueta, and Robin Le Normand ? who will miss only his second game since joining Atlético this summer. During Sunday?s draw with Real Madrid, Le Normand suffered a traumatic brain injury that has manifested as a subdural hematoma ? when blood pools around someone?s brain. It is unknown when he will return to action, although Marca has reported that initial tests ruled out a serious injury. Still, Tuesday?s media availability focused on the derby, which was suspended for nearly 20 minutes in the second half after Atlético fans in the Metropolitano?s grada de animación threw lighters and other items at goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Simeone on Tuesday was asked again to answer for those fans? behavior ? but for El Cholo, the matter is closed.

BREAKING - Diego Simeone: ?Before the Madrid derby post-match press conference, I made three statements rejecting violence, condemning the aggressors, and emphasizing that, as a club, we have a great opportunity to sho...