After Sunday’s disastrous result in the Romareda one could easily be forgiven for thinking that the Atleti players were making some kind of a stand against the new mister, such was the level of their ineptness against the league’s worst side. But one would have been wrong. The only talk of labour stoppages around the Manzanares club in the last few weeks has been that of the upcoming ‘general strike’ this Thursday, and while school doors remain closed and public transport shrieks to a halt, staff at the Calderón will be in full work mode as the Europa League returns to the Spanish capital.
Last time out, Simeone’s team took on a toothless Besiktas side, more willing than not to bow down before its la liga opponents than to put up a worthy fight. The tie finished 6-1 on aggregate in Atleti’s favour, however, two weeks on from that convincing win and los rojiblancos seem to have reverted back to their pre-Cholo schizophrenic ways: suffering their first defeat on the road under the new boss to a ten man Mallorca side, before thumping Athletic 2-1 at home, only to capitulate in their last match against a woeful Zaragoza in the last minute.
This time round the Madrid side faces a much tougher opponent in the form of Hannover 96. Although not possessing any standout players to speak of, the Bundesliga’s eighth placed side has already put an end to Sevilla’s dreams in the competition, when it beat Marcelino’s side in the preliminary round. Like Atleti, the Germans are yet to lose a home match in the competition so far either (four wins, three draws). Mirko Slomka’s side will be coming into Thursday’s clash quite invigorated after making life far from easy for Bayern Munich last Saturday. Despite losing that match 2-1, the lower placed side was in the game for the full 90 minutes and could have snatched a point near the end had Didier Ya Konan directed his header on target.
Slomka is a no nonsense tactician so expect a bog standard 4-4-2 formation on Thursday night. The defence, which is marshalled by team USA international Steve Cherundolo at right full, boasts a solid back four and one of German’s brightest goalkeeping talents in Zieler. In the middle of the park Die Roten (the Reds) have decent passers of the ball in Sergio Pinto and Manuel Schmiedebach, as well as nippy wide men in Lars Stindl and Konstantin Rausch, all of whom are capable of fast counterattacking football. Up front the German’s have a few options to choose from, with Mohammed Abdellaoue, Jan Schlaudraff, Mame Biram Diouf and Ya Konan all available to play. Going on Saturday’s evidence I would expect the last two to partner each other at some point during the match, so Atleti will have to have their wits about them if they are to avoid being caught on the break, as these two typify the West African mould of quick, ruthless, powerful players.
It’s not all doom and gloom for Atlético however. After six weeks of sitting on the side-lines the much missed Diego is back. Although the pocket-sized Brazilian already made a late appearance against Zaragoza on Sunday, he is likely to make his first start since having to come off injured against Sporting in February. And what a rival to come back to: in his previous seven encounters against Hannover he has scored four goals and made a further five.
Simeone can also count on the services of Arda and Tiago, both of whom return from injury as well. The Argentine rates these three players very highly and will no doubt be delighted to have all of them available for only the third time since taking over from Manzano.
As today’s training session was behind closed doors and the whole squad is fully fit, with the exceptions of Antonio López and Sílvio, predicting the starting XI is a difficult call to make. In today’s post-training press conference Simeone, presumably in attempt to whip his charges into shape, stressed that “this is the time to find out who the men are”.
I’d expect the formation to be the usual 4-2-3-1 with the back line remaining unchanged: Miranda and Godin being flanked on either side by Felipe Luis and Juanfran. Midfield will probably see a double pivot of Mario and Gabi sitting behind Diego, Koke and Adrian, with el Tigre taking up his familiar position of the lone number nine up front.
With the Spanish workforce making its case against the new labour reforms on Thursday, Simeone will be taking on the role of hardnosed taskmaster, demanding blood, sweat and goals from his underperforming playing staff.
Prediction: Tough one to call given Atleti’s struggling form of late. Even under Manzano los colchoneros were able to turn it on at home for the European nights and with the welcome returns of Diego, Arda and Tiago I can see them playing more creatively than in the past few weeks (which wouldn’t be hard). Saying that the German’s will be no pushovers and will be a threat on the break.
2-1
Possible line-ups:
Atlético: Courtois, Luis, Miranda, Godín, Juanfran, Mario Suarez, Gabi, Koke, Diego, Adrian, Falcao
Hannover 96: Zieler, Pander, Haggul, Pogatetz, Cherundolo, Sergio Pinto, Schmiedebach, Stindl, Rausch, Abdellaoue, Diouf
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