Tottenham most overturn a 3-goal deficit.
Tottenham Hotspur will be hosting Atletico Madrid this midweek as Igor Tudor & Co. look to overturn a three-goal deficit in the Champions League this midweek.
It was a tough outing last time around at Riyadh Air Metropolitano for the Lilywhites, and that is exactly what has put them in this tricky position, starting at a possible European exit.
Diego Simeone & Co. visit Tottenham in a comfortable position, and that means the Argentine gaffer in charge of the Spanish side will likely put up a balanced side.
Atletico Madrid will be expected to keep their shape in a 4-4-2 where they will ideally prioritise their defensive shape and then be quick on the counter-attacks (something that Simeone’s side is known for). And given that Tottenham need to score to have a chance to turn the tie around, Simeone will look to contain the Lilywhites and frustrate them into risky passes/attempts and then look to exploit space in behind their backline with the pace of Alvarez and the intelligence of Griezmann.
Predicted Atletico Madrid lineup vs Tottenham
Goalkeeper: Juan Musso
With first-choice goalkeeper Jan Oblak serving time on the sidelines owing to a muscular injury, Musso becomes the natural choice for Simeone. The Argentine had already stepped in for the visitors when needed this season, and he will be tasked to do the job once again come Wednesday.
Defence: Marc Pubill, Robin Le Normand, Dávid Hancko, Matteo Ruggeri
Pubill is expected to start on the right full-back flank, and he will be facing a Tottenham side that has extensively attacked from that left flank, especially when Xavi Simons is on the pitch.
He will have a defensive duo of Robin Le Normand and David Hancko beside him, with both of them playing at the heart of defence. Hancko has that physical presence that can come critical given they will be facing Solanke leading the Lilywhites’ line.
Ruggeri starts on the left. He will have to shuffle between Porto and whoever plays in that right-wing role for Tottenham given how good the former is at holding width and in attacking sequences.
Midfield: Giuliano Simeone, Marcos Llorente, Johnny Cardoso, Ademola Lookman
Diego Simeone’s son, Giuliano Simeone, will start in the right midfield. He has been one of the more hard-working players in this Atletico side, and that is exactly what they need from him given how he can support Pubill. Offensively, he is also good at transitioning defence into attack, and that becomes crucial if Tottenham are to push for those three goals from the get-go because that’d mean they leave space in behind.
On the opposite flank, Lookman selects himself. He has been a breath of fresh air since signing at the Spanish capital in the winter window.
In terms of central options, Llorente would join once Tottenham target Johnny Cardoso.
Forwards: Antoine Griezmann, Julian Alvarez
Griezmann continues upfront alongside Alvarez, with the duo working in tandem with each other, where one drops deepest to link while the other explores gaps in attack. And that should be on display again this Wednesday when Atletico visit N17.
TTLB’s Atletico Madrid lineup vs Tottenham Hotspur: Musso; Pubill, Le Normand, Hancko, Ruggeri; Simeone, Llorente, Cardoso, Lookman; Griezmann, Alvarez