🔬 CL under the microscope: Atlético Madrid | OneFootball

Today we’re looking at a team who stunned the holders in the Round of 16 and have to be considered one of the favourites to win the Champions League.

It’s time to get up close and personal with Atlético Madrid.

🏆 What’s their Champions League pedigree like?

Atleti have never actually won the Champions League but they have been finalists on three occasions and suffered the heartbreak of losing to rivals Real Madrid in 2014 and 2016.

They have won the Europa League three times though and the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1962.

✈️ How did they get here and what’s their route to the final?

Despite defeats against Juventus and Bayer Leverkusen, the Rojiblancos finished a pretty comfortable second in their group.

Many expected them be knocked out when they came up against Liverpool in the Round of 16 but an impressive backs-to-the-wall 1-0 win in the first leg was followed by an incredible 3-2 victory at Anfield in the second.

If they can overcome RB Leipzig in the quarter-final, they will face Atalanta or Paris Saint-Germain in the semis.

Doable.

🥳  Why should I root for them?

Because they’re a nice blend of grit and flair, moulded in Diego Simeone’s image and after their previous Champions League heartaches and the fact two of their players tested positive for Covid-19 earlier this week, it would be nice if Lady Luck smiled on Atleti for once.

😡 Why won’t everyone be rooting for them?

It’s fair to say Simeone’s football isn’t always the prettiest to watch and Diego Costa’s shithousery can be tiresome.

✅ What makes them so good?

They’re an extremely well organised team who have made a habit of really stepping up on the big occasions over the years.

Their incredible goalkeeper and the defenders in front of him shipped just 27 goals in LaLiga this season – the second best defensive record in the division.

They’ve also got quality players in other areas of the pitch, like Thomas Partey, Koke, Marcos Llorente and João Félix.

❌ And what’s their biggest weakness?

They may not concede many goals but they don’t score many either and this season they managed just 51 in the league. In one-legged knockout football, that could be problematic.

🔮 How will they line up?

We’d imagine something like this …

They will …

… lose to Bayern Munich in the final.