The back line had one constant. Finland sent him home.

English desks will log Ville Koski as one more international-break casualty. What they skip is what he was carrying. The Finnish centre-back has started all seven of Alavés’ Liga games, 620 of a possible 630 minutes. Quique Sánchez Flores’ side sit sixth on 11 points with six goals conceded and three clean sheets, the latest a 0–0 at San Mamés on matchday 7.

Koski missed Finland’s Albania game and left camp with a muscle injury in his right quad, according to the Alavés medical note. The club hasn’t given a timeline. Marca and Mundo Deportivo have him out of Saturday’s game, when Atlético come to Mendizorroza (Sat 10 Oct, 16:15 CEST).

The graph: Garcés is also unavailable, serving a FIFA sanction on top of a torn ACL. Tenaglia, a full-back by trade, now anchors the middle. Marca names Valentini or Jonny to partner him, with academy centre-back Xanet called up to make up the squad. The back line kept one name for seven matchdays. Saturday tests whether the record belonged to him or to the system.

Atlético’s side: Grimaldo, who has two penalty goals this season, worked on the side pitch at Majadahonda on Tuesday after a muscle overload with Spain. Sørloth is training with the group but hasn’t made his season debut, and Barrios is back. Manchester United follow on Tuesday in the Champions League.

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— Jet Callen / THE GRAPHS