It all started with that 0-0 draw against Porto, 1st day. That was where Cholo’s men began to twist this Champions League. A bad start that has brought you to this: the possible worst ending. Because suddenly Atleti finds this curve in December: it can be left out of the Champions League (follow the game live on AS.com). Already. No eighths and the rest. Without, not even, can, Europa League. The LaLiga champion which was reinforced with Griezmann out of Europe at the first exchange. You can pass. Or not. Because it can also be second, be in the eighth. Still. Everything happens because of what happens today in O Dragao, in his game against Porto, and in the San Siro game between Milan and Liverpool. Only the latter are ranked. The other position is settled between the Portuguese, Italians and those of Cholo, that they must win and pray to do so with at least one more goal than Milan, if they win.
Atlético flew to Portugal yesterday with wounds still bleeding. Has many. His bad Champions League (only one victory and three defeats in the last three games), that of Saturday in the League. Because it was 2nd but it is 4th, 10 behind the leader, Madrid, after losing against a Mallorca that, with two shots and order, beat him. With that and that’s it. Very little for a team that defined from solidity, to which it was very difficult to find a crack, to make a break. But Simeone can’t find the team. If you saw it above, uncover it in the back. And vice versa. And while the games go by and Oblak averages 1.15 goals, the team is weak, irregular.
Porto, meanwhile, awaits you from the watchtower of the Portuguese league, where he is an undefeated leader, with eight consecutive victories. In O Dragao this Champions League has already won against Milan. He has low Conceição, that of Uribe (sanction), Pepê (COVID) and important doubts, such as those of João Mário and Pepe, who have worked hard to get there. His weapons Luis Díaz and two tips that complement each other, perfect, Taremi and Evanilson. Two points against an Atleti without centrals. Felipe, sanction, Savic, injury, Giménez, also, yesterday it was confirmed. Healthy is only beautiful, Kondogbia will play in a defense already with another impostor: Llorente on the side, for the injured Trippier. Lodi, a usual suspect in the back, will occupy the left. The rest will not differ from the Atleti who won, and well, in Cádiz.
A midfield with Koke and De Paul (essential that he plays 90 ‘), Lemar and Carrasco. A forward with It bites and Suárez, who rested on Saturday, although Cunha tightens. João, it seems, will play the bench. Atleti is only worth winning, because he wants to be in the eighth. Of course, the same thing happens to Porto.