Atlético de Madrid return to Champions League action Tuesday night when they welcome Manchester United to the Metropolitano for the second match of the league phase.
Diego Simeone’s side enter Tuesday’s encounter in excellent form, having won four consecutive matches to climb to second in LaLiga with 19 points, just five points behind Barcelona. The turnaround has been impressive considering the struggles that plagued Atlético during the opening weeks of the campaign, which included a disappointing
2-1 Champions League defeat to Liverpool at Anfield.
Most recently, Los Rojiblancos secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Deportivo Alavés at Mendizorrotza on Saturday. Alejandro Grimaldo opened the scoring in the first half, but a penalty conceded by Robin Le Normand allowed Alavés to equalize. Despite playing against 10 men for much of the second half, Atlético struggled to find a winner until Cuti Romero headed home a fantastic cross from Álex Baena in the 87th minute.
It wasn’t necessarily the prettiest performance from Atlético, but the victory was another example of the resilience this team has shown over the past month. Simeone’s men have scored 11 goals and conceded just twice during their four-match league winning streak, a significant improvement from their inconsistent performances earlier in the season.
Now, attention turns back to the Champions League, where Atlético will look to secure their first points of the competition. With matches against Stuttgart and Bayern Munich on the horizon, picking up three points at home against an out-of-form Manchester United side would be an important step toward advancing to the knockout rounds.
Manchester United arrive in Madrid enduring a disastrous start to their Premier League campaign. Michael Carrick’s side have managed just one win and six points through their opening six league matches, their worst start to a domestic season for 40 years.
Carrick, who was appointed permanent manager in May after guiding United to a third-place finish last season, has struggled to replicate that success. The Red Devils are winless in their last four Premier League matches, most recently surrendering a late equalizer in a 1-1 draw against 10-man Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Saturday.
United invested heavily in their midfield over the summer, spending an initial £155 million to bring in Carlos Baleba, Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans. However, those additions have yet to address the frailties that have plagued the Red Devils for much of the season — and indeed, for the past several seasons. Baleba, United’s marquee signing, only recently made his season debut against Tottenham.
Despite their domestic struggles, United began their Champions League campaign in impressive fashion, defeating Azerbaijani side Sabah 4-0 at Old Trafford. Bruno Fernandes remains the primary creative force in Carrick’s team, while Bryan Mbeumo and the former Atlético forward Matheus Cunha provide plenty of attacking quality.
Team news
For the first time this season, Diego Simeone will have his entire squad available for a Champions League match. I can’t believe I’m actually able to type that sentence. There is a slight asterisk, as Obed Vargas and Rodrigo Mendoza were both left out of the squad against Alavés. However, both players are fit and available should Simeone wish to call upon them.
Pablo Barrios and Alexander Sørloth both returned from their respective injuries against Alavés, while Arnau Ortiz is available for selection after serving a suspension during Atlético’s opening Champions League match against Liverpool.
One of the biggest questions surrounding Simeone’s starting lineup is what he intends to do with Ademola Lookman. The Nigerian international has struggled to rediscover the form he displayed following his arrival last season, and another disappointing performance against Alavés has raised questions about his place in the starting 11.
On the other hand, Álex Baena continues to impress following his injury-plagued debut season in Madrid. The Spaniard came off the bench against Alavés and provided the match-winning assist for Romero, further strengthening his case for a starting role against Manchester United.
Simeone also has a decision to make in attack, with Julián Alvarez, Jonathan David and Sørloth all available. Alvarez was introduced at halftime on Saturday, while David provided the assist for Alejandro Grimaldo’s opening goal.
With Atlético facing three matches in just eight days, squad rotation and managing player fitness will be important considerations for Simeone as Los Rojiblancos enter a demanding stretch of their schedule.
Historical matchup
Historically, Atlético have enjoyed success against Manchester United. The two clubs have met four times in competitive action, with Los Colchoneros recording two victories and two draws.
Their most recent meeting came during the 2021/22 Champions League round of 16, when Atlético eliminated United 2-1 on aggregate. Following a 1-1 draw in Madrid, Renan Lodi scored the only goal of the second leg at Old Trafford to send Simeone’s side through to the quarterfinals.
United did defeat Atlético in a preseason friendly in Sweden this summer, but Tuesday’s contest will be a considerably different occasion, with Champions League points on the line.
Possible XI: Oblak, Llorente, Pubill, Romero, Hancko, Grimaldo; Barrios, Cardoso, Baena; Kang-In Lee, Alvarez
Prediction: 3-1, Atleti fully take advantage of a shaky backline from Manchester United. Alvarez scores and Baena gets a brace. Marcus Rashford scores for United.
Notable players who have represented both clubs
David de Gea, Diego Forlán, Radamel Falcao, Memphis Depay and Matheus Cunha
