Last week’s goal fest between PSG and Bayern Munich was a match many people described as the best they’ve ever seen. In contrast, Atlético Madrid vs Arsenal was considered a “haram ball” game with both teams deploying defensive and dull style of football.
On the surface, they weren’t wrong. It ended 1-1 with both goals coming from penalties. But it was a very competitive game and now, it’s all to play for in the second leg.
Who will punch a ticket to the final? Both teams are desperate because neither has won the Champions League before. So let’s dive in to the match.
First Leg Summary
This game took place 24 hours after PSG and Bayern Munich, which ended in a nine-goal thriller. Realistically, it could never live up against what happened in Paris, but was an entertaining game nonetheless.
Atlético came out a little flat at home in the first half and Arsenal took advantage. In the 44th minute, Viktor Gyökeres managed to win a penalty in expense of a clumsy challenge by center back David Hancko. He duly buried the spot-kick despite Jan Oblak getting a touch on it. 1-0.
In the second half, Diego Simeone changed tactics and personnel to chase an equalizer. From the second half whistle Atlético were generating good chances. In the 55 minute, a cross from Llorente appeared to strike Ben White’s extended arm in the box. After consulting the monitor, the referee pointed to the spot. Who else but Julian Álvarez would step up and score.
Afterwards, Atlético continued to get chances for the winner. Antoine Griezman, in his last ever Champions League game at the Metropolitano, struck the crossbar in the 66th minute. Adeola Lookman’s 74th minute shot was brushed aside by David Raya.
Then, against the run of play, it was Arsenal who thought they’d get a winner. Hancko once again made a clumsy challenge, this time on Eberechi Eze. The referee had already pointed to the mark, and Gyökeres was ready with ball in hand. However, VAR got involved. After consulting the monitor, the referee reversed his decision. No penalty! As big a relief for Hancko, it was an even bigger one for Atlético, whose second half performance was outstanding.
It ended as a 1-1 draw with all to play for in the Emirates. Arsenal would be feeling better about the result, although they felt they were robbed with their second penalty being scrapped.
Diego Simeone’s Plan
Simeone is widely known for his defensively sound and pragmatic “haram ball” style, though this season he has employed a more open and attacking philosophy. This carries positives and negatives for Atlético.
They aren’t defensively as strong as they used to be, particularly against set pieces, which could be a problem against Arsenal. The first leg proved that even if they are dominating a game, they are vulnerable at the back. There is a reason why they are fourth in La Liga this season.
The teams met at the Emirates in October during the group stage. Arsenal won 4-0. Simeone will no doubt be taking lessons from that match. He’s also changed the team’s hotel for superstitious reasons (although he says it’s because the new one is cheaper).
Let’s see if Atlético are ready to face this challenge.
Mikel Arteta’s Dream of Winning a Double
Arteta is under pressure. He has been in charge of Arsenal since 2019 and has only won the FA Cup since. Many fans are running out of patience. All that could change all that this month.
With their commanding 3-0 win over Fulham, and Manchester City’s draw today, Arsenal have a five point lead and a very good chance of winning the Premier League. All they have to do is win three more games and the title will be theirs for the first time since 2004.
In the Champions League, they have a very good chance of reaching the final again for the first time since 2006. All they have to do is beat Atlético at home, and it’s a very winnable game.
Similar to Simeone’s past style, Arteta likes to build his teams with a strong defensive core. Many of Arsenal’s wing backs are converted center-backs who were shifted to the side, and they’ve really mastered the art of getting goals from set pieces.
If he does manage to get a double, this would go down as a historic season for Arsenal and Arteta would probably have a statue built for him outside of the Emirates. It would be an insane achievement.
Prediction
Arsenal surely must be in high spirits after City’s result. At home Tuesday in front of over 60,000 fans, they have a great opportunity to put Atlético under a lot of pressure and suffocate them.
On the other hand, an argument could be made that they are distracted because they are also focusing on the Premier League, while Atlético have been solely focused on the Champions League. Simeone once again rotated the squad for their weekend La Liga fixture, ensuring that Atleti’s key players are fresh and ready for this clash.
This is a tricky one to predict. It seems likely that Arsenal would push on and get a win at home, but you can never underestimate what Simeone and Atlético can do.
It will be an interesting game full of non-stop action. But after disappointments in La Liga and Copa del Rey, Atletico are locked in on this fixture and they will have a plan to disarm Arsenal’s attacks and walk away with a ticket for the Champions League final.
Simeone hasn’t lost his magic yet. He’s had a lot of time to study Arsenal’s playing style and their players, and he will be happy to play a villain role in the Emirates.
Prediction: Arsenal 0-1 Atlético
