By Neel Shelat
No time for Atlético to lick their wounds after midweek heartbreak
Atlético Madrid suffered yet one more Champions League defeat to crosstown rivals Actual Madrid in significantly heartbreaking vogue on Wednesday night time. After a spirited efficiency on the Metropolitano to win 1-0 on the night time and take the tie to further time and penalties, a merciless coincidence noticed Julián Alvarez slip simply as he took his shot. Though the ball went in, VAR seen a minute double-touch and needed to classify the hassle as a miss. Marcos Llorente did not hit the goal when he later had the prospect to stage it up, and Jan Oblak couldn’t hold out Antonio Rüdiger’s winner regardless of getting one of the best a part of a hand to it. As soon as once more, it was simply not meant to be for Atléti within the Euroderbi.
However, such is the character of the elite stage of soccer that they haven’t any time to dwell on what may need been. Diego Simeone was seen encouraging his gamers and rallying the group to get behind them post-match, so he absolutely understands the significance of staying motivated and preventing tooth and nail till the very finish.
Atlético making the Metropolitano a fortress
Certainly, Atlético Madrid have constructed a lot of their success thus far this season on house turf. They’re on a 13-match unbeaten run on the Metropolitano that stretches again to final November, with outcomes together with wins in opposition to robust opponents reminiscent of Bayer Leverkusen and Athletic Membership. In actual fact, Atléti are the one staff to stay unbeaten at house within the present LaLiga season.
Barcelona stand in Atléti’s means for each home titles
Atlético Madrid can now solely compete for the league and cup, the place Actual might effectively sprint their hopes once more. First up, although, Los Colchoneros should overcome Barcelona in each competitions. They’ve already defeated the Catalans within the reverse league fixture with a dramatic stoppage-time winner that propelled them to the highest of the standings on the flip of the 12 months. They put up one other late present final month to attract 4-4 within the first leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final, which can be decisively settled early subsequent month.
A conflict of various tactical types
Atlético Madrid and Barcelona are certain to undertake very completely different approaches on this match, simply as they’ve carried out all season. The hosts’ gameplan is certain to centre round defensive solidity and preserving issues tight on the again, whereas Hansi Flick’s aspect can be far more attack-minded and take greater dangers alongside the best way.
Their two earlier encounters this season confirmed simply how otherwise their matches can prove. We might very simply get a high-scoring thriller if Atléti are compelled out of their shell, however a a lot quieter recreation with a few decisive moments is simply as seemingly.
Prediction
Just one aspect has scored in these groups’ final 5 conferences on the Metropolitano, however that streak might effectively finish on Sunday. The rating may very well be virtually something, however we’ll go for a 2-2 draw.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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