CLUB BRUGGE – ATLETICO MADRID | Tuesday 9pm
The first was a test, the one against Leverkusen. The second a confirmation. Club Brugge are on a full points lead in the group after also smashing Porto in their second Champions League outing. Four-nil away from home against Conceicao’s men in a match to watch for what was an out-of-the ordinary tactical abnegation and also for that ability to strike at the top moments of the match.
In short, it will not be easy for Atletico Madrid to win. But Simeone’s men, after the defeat in Germany, and a clear one at that, against Leverkusen, have no other result at their disposal if they do not want to risk fighting until the last day – as it happened last season – for the passage to the round.
It has to be said, however, that the Colchoneros, after the break, seem to have become a different team: no one expected the Madrilenians to be able to win without any particular problems on the Sevilla pitch. Yet the Cholo’s troop showed that they still have those qualities that have taken them to the top over the years. And a decidedly strong squad that can play with anyone. So, at the end of the day, it is normal to think that the Spaniards can go and win in Belgium and get themselves firmly back on track.
Club Brugge rejoice after
The Prediction
Atletico have no other chance: win, join Club Brugge in the standings, and put themselves back on track for the passage to the round. At another time there really would have been no doubt about the favourite team, now things, even for what is the general momentum of Simeone’s team, have changed. Yet the greater international experience in the long run should prove decisive and allow the Spaniards to win the entire stake.
Club Brugge v Atletico Madrid likely line-ups
- CLUB BRUGGE (4-3-3): Mignolet; Mata, Mechele, Sylla, Meijer; Nielsen, Onyedika, Vanaken; Yaremchuk, Jutglà, Sowah.
- ATLETICO MADRID (5-3-2): Oblak; Molina, Savić, Giménez, Reinildo; Marcos Llorente, Witsel, Koke, Saúl Ñíguez; Morata, João Félix.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 1-2
