Atletico Madrid will be looking to secure a spot in the round of 16 when they host Club Brugge in the 2nd leg of their Champions League play-off tie.
Atletico Madrid and Club Brugge ended up playing out an entertaining 3-3 draw in the first leg, and both teams are now heading into this second leg at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano with everything to play for. After a disappointing outing in the first leg, expect Diego Simeone’s men to go all out. However, given their recent form, the Belgian outfit will believe they have a chance.
The home team could only manage a 14th-place finish in the league phase, and their league form hasn’t been that great either. They are already out of the title race. While they were favourites to win the tie, their first leg performance suggests there could be an upset on the cards.
Atletico are heading into this fixture on the back of a 4-2 win over Espanyol. Having returned to winning ways, they will certainly be confident about getting the job done in front of their home fans.
The visitors finished 19th in the league phase, but they have been fairly consistent in the league. They certainly did a great job to secure a 3-3 draw in the first leg and will be hoping they can do one better and knock out Atletico away from home.
The Belgian outfit are heading into this fixture on the back of a 2-1 win over Oud-Heverlee Leuven. Brugge have been in fine form of late, and they will be optimistic about their chances. But they will be aware of the fact that taking down the Spanish giants in their backyard won’t be easy. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
Team News & Tactics
Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid will be without the services of Pablo Barrios (thigh) and Nicolas Gonzalez (muscle) because of injury. Apart from the duo, everyone else should be available for selection.
The home team will line up in a 4-4-2 formation, where Jan Oblak will take charge in goal. Nahuel Molina and Matteo Ruggeri will feature as the full-backs, while Marc Pubill will continue to partner with David Hancko in the heart of the defence.
Giuliano Simeone and Ademola Lookman will feature on the flanks. The duo will provide much-needed width to their attacks. Meanwhile, Koke will partner with Marcos Llorente in the centre of the park. The duo will look to control the tempo of the game.
In the final third, Alexander Sorloth should continue alongside the highly sought-after Julian Alvarez.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Oblak; Molina, Pubill, Hancko, Ruggeri; Simeone, Koke, Llorente, Lookman; Sorloth, Alvarez
Club Brugge
The visitors will be without the services of Raphael Onyedika, who is suspended for this fixture. Meanwhile, Lynnt Audoor (muscle issue) and Dani van den Heuvel (knock) are both major doubts.
Club Brugge will line up in a 4-3-3 formation, where Simon Mignolet will take charge in goal. Kyriani Sabbe and Joaquin Seys will continue as the full-backs, while Joel Ordonez will partner with Brandon Mechele in the heart of the defence.
In the centre of the park, Aleksandar Stankovic will start alongside Hugo Vetlesen and Hans Vanaken in the centre of the park. The trio will look to ensure Atletico midfielders do not enjoy too much easy possession.
Christos Tzolis and Mamadou Diakhon will feature on the flanks for the visitors, while Nicolo Tresoldi will be the one leading the line for them. The trio will be looking to hit Simeone’s team on the break at every possible opportunity.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Mignolet; Seys, Mechele, Ordonez, Sabbe; Vanaken, Vetlesen, Stankovic; Diakhon, Tresoldi, Tzolis
Key Stats
- In the seven meetings between the two teams in the UEFA Champions League, three games have ended in a draw, while both teams have won two each.
- Club Brugge have only lost one out of their last six matches in all competitions (four wins).
- Meanwhile, Atletico have lost two out of their last six across competitions (three wins).
- The Belgian outfit have conceded 17 goals in their nine UCL outings this term.
- Simeone’s men have failed to win any of their last four games against Club Brugge.
Player to Watch
Julian Alvarez
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With the team underpressure, Simeone will hope his star striker steps up and delivers a match-winning performance. The Argentine forward has 13 goals and six assists in the ongoing campaign. While he hasn’t been at his absolute best, the 26-year-old has done his bit.
He has five goals and two assists in his eight UCL outings this term. Alavrez bagged a goal in the first leg, and he will be hoping to not only find the back of the net again but also help his team make it to the round of 16.
Prediction
Atletico Madrid 2-1 Club Brugge
With the tie finely poised after the first leg draw, Atletico Madrid will be expected to raise their intensity at home. Diego Simeone’s men should look to assert control early, press with more aggression, and make the most of the Riyadh Air Metropolitano atmosphere as they aim to avoid another frustrating European night.
That said, Club Brugge have already shown they are more than capable of troubling Atletico, particularly in transition. While the Belgian side may have their moments and threaten on the counter, the hosts’ experience and added sharpness in decisive moments should give them the edge. The Hard Tackle predicts a hard-fought 2-1 win for the home team.