Atletico Madrid welcome Arsenal to the Estadio Metropolitano on Wednesday evening for the primary leg of their Champions League semi-final.
Atleti booked their place within the final 4 by edging previous Barcelona 3-2 on combination, persevering with a powerful European marketing campaign through which they’ve already set a brand new membership report for objectives scored in a single version of the competitors.
Beneath Diego Simeone, the Spanish aspect have developed right into a extra attack-minded outfit, discovering the web in every of their final 12 matches throughout all competitions.
Nevertheless, their report towards English opposition in Europe stays a priority, with simply two wins from their final 12 such encounters. They had been additionally overwhelmed 4-0 by Arsenal earlier within the competitors, a consequence that may nonetheless be recent within the reminiscence.
Arsenal, in the meantime, have reached the Champions League semi-finals for the second consecutive season after overcoming Sporting Lisbon 1-0 on combination.
Mikel Arteta’s aspect have been one of many standout groups on this season’s competitors, ending high of the league section with an ideal report and remaining unbeaten all through the match to date.
They’ll definitely be the favourites for the tie, and Simeone is conscious of that, claiming there isn’t a stress on his Atleti aspect.
Talking in his press convention, he mentioned: “Actually stress no, there’s no stress. There’s duty. There’s the thrill of being near an enormous aim that the membership has by no means achieved. And naturally there’s a particular pleasure.
“And we now have to arrange nicely, we’re going to play the sport we need to play, the sport we think about and as I all the time say, take the sport the place we wish so we are able to damage them.
“We’re going to face a tricky sport with an excellent opponent and with a set-piece technique as you nicely mentioned at first that could be very nicely labored and nicely, right here we go along with all the thrill.”
Workforce information for Atletico Madrid v Arsenal
Atletico shall be with out Pablo Barrios and Jose Gimenez as a result of harm, whereas Ademola Lookman and David Hancko are each doubts and shall be assessed nearer to kick-off.
Julian Alvarez can be a slight concern however might nonetheless characteristic in assault, probably alongside Antoine Griezmann or Alexander Sorloth. In midfield, Johnny Cardoso or Marcos Llorente might come into the beginning lineup.
Arsenal are lacking Mikel Merino and Jurrien Timber, whereas Riccardo Calafiori is a doubt. Kai Havertz, Eberechi Eze and Martin Zubimendi will all want late health checks after current points.
Bukayo Saka is pushing for a return to the beginning XI after making an impression off the bench, whereas Viktor Gyokeres is predicted to guide the road if Havertz isn’t match.
Anticipated line-ups for Atletico Madrid v Arsenal
Atletico Madrid: Oblak; Molina, Le Normand, Lenglet, Ruggeri; Simeone, Koke, Cardoso, Gonzalez; Griezmann, Alvarez
Arsenal: Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Odegaard, Zubimendi, Rice; Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli
The place to look at Atletico Madrid v Arsenal: TV channel, reside stream
The match shall be obtainable to look at reside within the UK on TNT Sports activities, with protection additionally accessible through the invention+ streaming platform.
Kick-off is scheduled for 8:00pm BST on Wednesday.
The stats for Atletico Madrid v Arsenal
- Atletico have scored a club-record variety of objectives on this Champions League marketing campaign
- Arsenal are unbeaten on this season’s competitors
- Arsenal have received their final seven Champions League matches towards Spanish opposition
- Atletico have received simply two of their final 12 matches towards English sides in Europe
- Arsenal have misplaced solely considered one of their final 11 away Champions League video games
Prediction for Atletico Madrid v Arsenal
First legs at this stage are sometimes cautious, and each groups might prioritise management over danger. Arsenal’s robust European type offers them confidence, however Atletico’s residence benefit might make sure the tie stays finely balanced heading into the second leg.
