Atletico Madrid faced a difficult task as they welcomed the reigning champions of the Champions League and the unbeaten Premier League leaders to the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano. Liverpool arrived and were ready to put up a fight on the same pitch where they won the trophy only eight months ago.
It took only four minutes for Saúl Ñíguez to open the scoring with a strike which would go on to decide the game. This tactical analysis will consider just how Atlético defended from that point on, protecting their lead to secure a crucial Champions League last 16 first leg victory to take to Anfield for the second leg in March.
This tactical analysis will consider the tactics of both Diego Simeone and Jürgen Klopp in order to further detail the analysis of where Liverpool went wrong and how Simeones masterclass found a way to beat the Reds.
Line-ups
Simeone sprung a surprise on Klopp by lining up with Renan Lodi and Thomas Lemar on the left flank, having been expected to field Saúl in defence and Vitolo Machín on the left of midfield. Other than that, Álvaro Morata returned to line up with the strongest possible team.
Liverpool also selected their strongest 11, fielding the midfield of Fabinho, Georgino Wijnaldum and Jordan Henderson with Naby Keita, James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain restricted to the bench.
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