Atletico Madrid Form and Lineup
Despite regular defensive collapses of late, which historically have not been typical for a Diego Simeone team, the hosts have still achieved serious success this season. At the right moment Atletico Madrid manage to squeeze the maximum out of themselves – that is how they came through three Champions League knockout rounds, winning only once in each tie (three wins, one draw and two defeats). After losing to Barcelona (1:2) in the second leg at the Metropolitano, where the visitors were clearly stronger in creation (3-7 on big chances and 1.78-2.22 on xG), the side then lost the Copa del Rey final to Real Sociedad (2:3 after a penalty shootout). In that match Alvarez saved Simeone’s team from defeat in normal time, but the Argentinian and Sorloth missed their attempts in the shootout. In the last rounds of La Liga Atletico Madrid have barely exerted themselves: the matches against Elche (2:3) and Sevilla (3:2) turned out to be open – in terms of the pattern of play they will not resemble this Champions League semi-final.
Key Atletico Madrid numbers:
The team have lost seven of their last nine games in all competitions.
Over the nine-match spell since 18 March Atletico Madrid have kept only one clean sheet.
Since the Copa del Rey final they have allowed a combined 4.60 xGA over two La Liga rounds – the worst figure over that period.
Potential Atletico Madrid lineup (4-4-2):
Juan Musso – Matteo Ruggeri, Clement Lenglet, Robin Le Normand, Nahuel Molina – Pablo Barrios, Koke, Marcos Llorente, Giuliano Simeone – Julian Alvarez, Antoine Griezmann.
Out of squad: Jose Gimenez, David Hancko, Ademola Lookman.
Arsenal Form and Lineup
A painful defeat to Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium (1:2) left the Londoners on the edge of the abyss. They are now level on points with City in the Premier League (currently three points ahead, but City have a game in hand), so goal difference now influences the title race, and Guardiola’s men have the better numbers. On Saturday against Newcastle United (1:0) Mikel Arteta’s team produced a masterclass in containing their opponents: the Magpies posted 1.00 xG but registered only three shots on target. David Raya recorded his 16th clean sheet of the current Premier League campaign – the goalkeeper’s form adds confidence to his team-mates. Set pieces also worked brilliantly again: Eze’s goal was Arsenal’s 17th from a corner in the Premier League, breaking the competition record.
Key Arsenal numbers:
In their last 15 away matches the London side have suffered only two defeats.
Arsenal have conceded five goals in the Champions League across 12 matches of the overall stage and the knockout rounds.
In October Arsenal allowed only 0.67 xGA over 90 minutes in their head-to-head match against Atletico Madrid at the Emirates Stadium (4:0).
Potential Arsenal lineup (4-3-3):
David Raya – Piero Hincapie, Gabriel Magalhaes, William Saliba, Cristian Mosquera – Declan Rice, Martin Zubimendi, Martin Odegaard – Eberechi Eze, Chukwunonso Madueke, Viktor Gyokeres.
Out of squad: Mikel Merino, Jurrien Timber, Kai Havertz (all injured).
