Preview: Hannover 96 vs Atlético Madrid

Last week’s encounter in the Calderón saw the Spaniards draw first blood, but by no means did the Germans drop their heads after Falcao opened up the scoring. Mame Diouf responded to the Colombian’s early goal, and although Salvio had the final say in the match, which ended 2-1 in the home side’s favour, Simeone’s men have plenty to be fearful about heading into this Thursday’s return leg.

The AWD-Arena is not an ideal place to travel to with a slim lead and an away goal conceded. Die Roten are yet to record a single home defeat in either the Bundesliga or the Europa League this season, and extended their impressive run even further last weekend by defeated Bundesliga fourth spot dwellers Borussia Monchengladbach 2-1. In the European competition they have scored an average of 2.16 goals and conceded just 0.83 per game.

As Atleti witnessed first hand during last week’s match (especially in the second half), Mirko Slomka’s side is a well-equipped and well-drilled outfit, fast on the break and capable of making the most of its opportunities. In recent years Atleti’s exploits in Germany haven’t been that bountiful: drawing 1-1 with Bayer Leverkusen in 2010 and losing 1-0 to Schalke back in 2008, through a Christian Pander goal, the now Hannover left full back.

Mirko Slomka’s side is dangerous from all over the park, and unlike Atleti who depend massively on Salvio (4), Adrian (5) and Falcao (7) to score their goals, the list of goal scores is far more evenly spread out among the Hannover squad. Only Diouf has found the net on three occasions so far in the competition but seven other players have managed to score twice. 

Going in the colchoneros’ favour however is the fact that, despite the up-and-down nature of their domestic campaign, an impressive record on the continental road has seen them clock up a decent scoring average of two goals per game away from the Spanish capital, while only conceding 0.57.

As well as that, Diego’s back to full fitness. With his display against Getafe on Sunday, the Brazilian showed all the signs of a player on top of his game and his goal will have no doubt struck fear into the hearts of the Hannover faithful: during his spells with Werder Bremen and Wolfsburg the number 22 netted four times in seven matches against Robert Enke’s former side. His inclusion into the Atleti starting line up is also significant for the manner in which he brings his attacking teammates into the game, with Adrián in particular looking far more threatening and creative alongside him.

Simeone almost had a full squad to choose from going into last week’s match but thanks to Gabi, Juanfran and Arda all picking up suspensions in that fixture, the Atleti boss is slightly more hamstrung in terms of his options for Thursday’s encounter. In all likelihood he will replace them with the recently returning Tiago, Perea and Adrián, respectively. Silvio and Antonio Lopez are still injured, and Fran Merida is cup-tied having already togged out for Braga earlier on in the competition. Salvio’s resurgence in recent weeks (four goals in three Europa League games) should earn him a start and I’d imagine it will come at Koke’s expense.

Manzano’s successor has been feeling the wrath of some disgruntled fans recently, with some (quite rightfully) questioning how much more effective of a coach the former player is. With the team’s la liga form toeing the typically inconsistent Atleti line (DLDWLWLW), keeping it’s European dreams alive is a top priority for Simeone, who will be wanting to shut his critics up.

Prediction: Given that Atleti have looked remarkably sure-footed defensively in Europe so far this season (for Atleti standards), I’d expect the Argentine to keep things tight at the back at the expense of playing overly expansively. Hannover are at their most devastating when on the counter so Cholo will be trying to ensure their chances of doing so are limited, with the likes of Stindl, Rausch and Konan Ya not being given space to run into. The idea will be to beat the Germans at their own game by inviting them to push on and catching them on the break, with Adrián and Salvio’s pace on the wings opening up the home side.

2-2

Possible line-ups:

Hannover 96: Zieler, Pander, Haggul, Pogatetz, Cherundolo, Sergio Pinto, Schmiedebach, Schlaudraff, Rausch, Konan Ya, Diouf

Atlético Madrid: Courtois, Felipe Luis, Miranda, Godín, Perea, Mario Suarez, Tiago, Salvio, Diego, Adrian, Falcao

Atlético 2-1 Hannover 96

It would take more than a measly general strike to prevent tonight’s Europa League action in the Calderón from taking place. The strong Hannover contingent that braved the trip over to the Spanish capital to see their beloved Die Roten take on Atlético Madrid had a city of closed bars, filthy streets and large manifestations to keep them entertained during the build-up to this highly anticipated quarterfinal clash between the eighth placed sides of both la Primera liga and the Bundesliga. However, the travelling fans’ midweek get-away was spoiled as a sensational Salvio winner near the end saw the Germans lose 2-1 despite putting in a decent performance.

Even Neptuno took the today off 

For the first time since taking up the reigns at the South Madrid club Simeone had a wealth of options at his disposal. Diego, Arda and Tiago were all back but the Argentine, probably with an eye to salvaging the floundering domestic campaign, opted to start with a more “well-oiled” team. Arda, Juanfran and Miranda were the only changes from Sunday’s loss to Zaragoza but from the start this looked like a completely different team. With an eagerness that was nowhere to be seen in the Romerada on Sunday, los rojiblancos got off to a perfect start when a lofted free kick from Gabi towards the Hannover back stick found Falcao who, with the faintest of touches, directed the ball past Kieler into the top right-hand corner.

Not content with a one nil lead so early on Atleti -- spurred on by Cholo’s midweek “now we’ll see who the real men are” comments -- continued to press the Germans and were perhaps unlucky not to extend their advantage with Adrian shooting wide off the mark or when Falcao could only steer a cross from Arda on the left over the visitors’ bar from within the six yard box.

However, just as things were looking up for the home side Diouf managed to bag his seventh goal in eleven games when he lost his marker (Miranda) and got onto the end of Stindl’s inviting cross. The on-loan United striker’s goal did come against the run of play, but nonetheless it made for a rather muted half time in the 60,000 seater stadium.

The second half began with Juanfran making a penetrating run through the heart of the Hannover midfield before feeding Falcao in on the right, but the Colombian could only hook his shot wide. However, Alteti weren’t to keep up this pace as the Germans seemed far more of threatening during the second period, especially when Didier Ya Konan came on for Manuel Schmiedebach. The Ivorian player almost became the architect of a carbon copy goal for Hannover when he sent in a tantalizing low ball in for Diouf, however this time the Ivorian blasted the ball straight at Courtois. Up until Salvio’s heroics at the end that was the best chance of the half.

Pre-match warm up

Before that Diego made his long awaited return to the Calderon, coming on for a hard working Koke. The Brazilian’s first real contribution came when he sucked in a few Hannover midfielders before finding Felipe in acres of space. The left full fired in a dangerous ball across the German goal but Falcao was unable to stretch out his foot enough to get a touch.

Hannover always looked capable of causing problems on the break once Ya Konan came on and Atleti were given a tougher time all round in the middle of the park during the last half hour.

Things were looking desperate towards the end for Simeone’s side as they looked to regain the lead. Humping long balls into Falcao became the name of the game, and in the 88^th minute it paid off with the ball landing at the feet of the recently introduced Salvio, who adjusted himself with one touch before magnificently curling the ball into the top corner, far from Kieler’s reach. The home side could have added another moments later but Diego’s cleanly hit bicycle kick was well saved.

In the post-match press conference Hannover coach Mirko Slomka stated that “Atlético is in the driving seat for the return leg, and with the experience in their squad we will have to take the game to them”. It was a good result for los colchoneros and importantly a morale boosting one, given the week the slating they received after the Zaragoza game. The stands went into raptures at the final whistle, however with Juanfran, Gabi and Arda all picking up suspensions, the second leg is not going to be a stroll in the park, especially considering Hannover’s undefeated record in the AWD-Arena this season.

Fact: Falcoa’s first half effort was Atlético Madrid’s 400^th European goal

Result: Atleti 2- 1 Hannover (Falcao, Diouf, Salvio)

Preview: Atlético vs Hannover 96

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

Besiktas vs Altético Madrid

“From purgatory to hell” is a fitting description of Atletico Madrid’s upcoming match this Thursday. After the paint-dryingly dull display in the Calderón last Sunday, where the 55,000 fans in attendance watched on as the home team stumbled to a 2-0 win over Granada, Atlético’s next stop is the infamously hostile Ismet Inonu Stadium in Istanbul, as the second leg of their Europa League clash with Besiktas needs to be settled.

Despite the comfort with which the colchoneros controlled last week’s encounter against the Turkish side, in the words of Atleti’s Diego Godín, “it would be a mistake to play for a nil all draw [this time round]”. The 3-1 cushion Simeone’s men take into Thursday’s tie by no means translates as a free pass to the quarterfinals, and the Uruguayan defender expects the home side, along with their ear-blisteringly noisy fans, to come at his team with a bang, "the atmosphere is going to be extremely heated, but if we score first we'll have the upper hand".

Going in the Spanish team’s favour is the fact that Besiktas have lost their last two home games (to Braga and Trabzonspor) and are generally treading water in a sea of mediocrity where form is concerned. To add to the Kara Kartallar’s (black eagles) woes, in-house fighting involving the manager, Carlos Carvalhal, and the Jorge Mendes represented (ahem, owned) midfielder, Ricardo Quaresema, means the latter will be left out of the squad for Thursday’s encounter, as relations between the two have soured to seemingly irreparable levels.

With Hugo Almeida still out injured and Fabian Ernst picking up a suspension in the first leg, Carvalhal doesn’t exactly have his strongest starting XI to choose from. Nonetheless, the former Porto coach is unlikely to deviate from his attack-minded 4-3-3 formation, with Holosko, Simao and Pektemek likely to make up the front line, Fernandes, Aurelio and Uysal supporting them from midfield and Toraman, Sivok, Sidnei and Koybasi behind them.

The 12^th man will no doubt play a vital role in this game and the presence of Arda Turan (on the bench I’d suspect), who played his football with Besiktas’ arch rivals Galatasaray before moving to the Spanish capital, will surely add fuel to the already raucous fire.

With Tiago and Diego carrying injuries, and Antonio López still not fit enough to risk playing, el Cholo made some unexpected call ups to his 19 man squad. Pizzi got the nod, while the Argentine also found space for cantera whizz kids Saul Ñíguez and Pedro Martín on the Turkish bound plane (the later almost not making the trip due to a misplaced passport).

With the race for fourth heating up in the league, Simeone is probably contemplating Sunday’s difficult clash away to Mallorca and next Wednesday’s showdown with direct rivals for the last Champions League spot, Club Athletic, although he would never admit it (and I’d never dare ask).

Giving the unfriendly setting, Simeone will more than likely go with the same tried and tested starting line up as last week: Courtois, Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Filipe, Gabi, Suarez, Salvio, Adrian, Koke and Falcao. However, as the game goes on, and presuming Atleti grab a goal, I would expect changes to be made as key players are wrapped in cotton wool ahead of the upcoming week’s gruelling league fixture list.

Prediction: Given the internal problems at Besiktas at the moment and the manner with which they capitulated in the first leg, I can’t see them turning things around sufficiently to advance past an Atleti side which, under their new boss, have only once conceded more than one goal in a match; and that was at the hands of Barcelona. The Falcao and Adrian partnership is also too prolific --12 goals between them in Europe this season -- for me not to see the rojiblancos scoring over 90 minutes either.

1-0

Simao's Return: Atlético Madrid vs Besiktas

Tomorrow night’s Europa League clash in the Vicente Calderón sees one of Atleti’s most beloved players in recent history returning to take on the club he won the same competition with two years ago. Simao Sabrosa will be doing his best to remain cold-blooded as his current club Besiktas -- one he has also tasted success with by winning the Turkish Cup last year – take on the Madrid club he shares such fond memories with.

Losing their last two matches in the Turkish Super Lig to arch enemies Galatasaray and third place rivals Trabzonspor, Carlos Carvalhal’s men will be looking to make amends and keep their European adventure alive by getting a result in the Spanish capital to take into the second leg of the competition’s last sixteen.

They will have to do so without their biggest threat in attack, Hugo Almeida, who has to sit out because of problems with his knee. Even in the gigantic forward’s absence, the visitors do possess a more than decent forward line though, with Simao and ex-Barca player Ricardo Quaresma patrolling the wings.

Elsewhere on the pitch, the feisty Egeman Korkmaz will marshal the defence on his return back from injury alongside the Czech Republic international, Tomas Sivok. The Atleti forward line will be forced to come deep to pick up the ball, as the central defensive partnership breathes down their necks, however, where the Turkish side is vulnerable is in the left full back position, with Ismail Koybasi offering far more in attack than in defence. The goalkeeper, Cenk, is also prone to making the occasional howler from time to time.

Carvalhal likes to play a 4-3-3 system, with the trio of Fabian Ernst, Necip Uysal and Manuel Fernandes governing midfield with all the intensity and tenacity you’d expect from a Turkish outfit. Strong in the air, tough in the tackle and, with Fernandes, capable of keeping opposition goalkeepers on their toes with effective long-range strikes.

Meanwhile, in the colchonero dressing room, Simeone doesn’t exactly have a wealth of options to choose from thanks to sanctions, injuries and child births, with Arda, Silvio, Diego, Antonio López, Assunçao and new dad Tiago all unavailable to play. Saying that, the Argentine has at no point had a full squad to pick from since taking over in December, so is well used to having his hands tied where his starting XI is concerned, and with Falcao coming back after missing Saturday’s 1-1 draw away to Sevilla due to suspension, the home side will be strongly favoured.

According to reports from training yesterday, Perea and Godín are likely to partner each other in the middle of the defensive back four, while Domínguez and Miranda are rested. The inform Juanfran will take his position on the right flank with Felipe Luis on the corresponding side.

With the return of Falcao, Cholo will revert back to a four-man midfield, leaving the Colombian to double up with Adrian up front. Leaving Gabi and Mario to act as a double pivot in the middle of the park, with Salvio and Koke taking on the role of the wide players.

One man who knows more about these clubs is current Besiktas, and former Atleti, physical trainer, Carlos Cascallana. He warned the Spanish club not to get cocky ahead of this match, as the Turkish side, while not having the best season domestically, is capable of beating almost any side on it’s day, “Perhaps the concentration, coupled with the high tension, of a regular league is to much for them to fight for the title…..but in a one off match or in a knock-out competition they can beat anyone”.

Whether having home advantage in the first leg is a blessing or a curse remains to be seen, but Atlético should by no means count their chickens just yet. Just because of the relative ease with which they dispatched of Lazio in the last round, they should not take advancing past this round as a given. Their opponents this time are no lightweights, having already ended Sporting de Braga’s run in the cup and topped a group that included Stoke City, Dinamo de Kiev and Mccabi Tel-Aviv.

Apart from Perea, Domínguez, Assunçao and Antonio López, Simao won’t be too familiar with many of Atleti’s current ranks, but he is sure to get emotional as he faces the frente for the first time since leaving the Mazanares club.

Prediction: With Falcao and Adrian playing together again, the rojiblancos should be confident about scoring goals, and with the back line still holding up strongly, under Simeone stewardship, the visitors are going to find it difficult to score against the indomitable Courtois.

2-0

Lazio vs Atlético Madrid: Familiar Faces and Old Friends

Having recently received a hero’s welcome on his return home to the Vicente Calderón to help get his beloved  Atlético Madrid’s season back on track, Diego Simeone is now preparing himself for a trip back to yet another cherished old hunting ground from his playing days, the Stadio Olimpico. This Thursday ‘El Cholo’, through pure chance, will lead his Rojiblancos out into the Roman caldron to take on his other beloved club, Lazio, in his first European test as a manager in the Europa League.

Much like he is associated with Atleti’s brief run of success in the nineties, the Argentine is also fondly remembered by the blue half of the Italian capital for lifting titles. During his four spell here, between 1999 and 2003, he added a Serie A title, the Italian Cup and the Super Cup to his list of accolades.

Simeone is not the only one psyching himself up for a blast from the past on Thursday night though. Miroslav Klose and Diego will also have to deal with familiar faces from their past, as they face off against each other for the first time since their wonderful spell together at Werder Bremen ended, a club where they formed an almost telepathic partnership that produced 72% of the team’s goals (55) in 2007 and helped the German side to a Champions League spot. Klose, an out-and-out striker, who incorporates intelligent movement, good decision-making and great finishing, was the perfect match for the Brazilian’s sharp passing and jaw-dropping vision. Since moving on from the Bundesliga, they have both developed other partnerships: the German has found another Brazilian provider in the form of Hernanes, while Diego has the likes of Falcao and Adrian to look for up front.

Back in October, the Madrid outfit was beaten in Italy 2-0 by Udinese in the same competition, but that was under Manzano, and the match was played in the wrong Italian city. History favours los colchoneros when it comes to playing in Rome, where they have never lost. Back in 1998 they were held to a goalless draw against Lazio in the semifinals of the UEFA Cup, which saw them knocked out on aggregate, and in 1999 they came back from the Mussolini-constructed arena with a 2-1 win, however, that was against Lazio’s bitter rivals and stadium co-lodgers, Roma.

Lazio have enjoyed a decent season so far, currently sitting third in Serie A, but coach Edy Reja has a bit of a selection dilemma ahead of this European clash due to the troublingly long list of injuries he has to contend with.

In defense, veteran centre-half André Dias is out, and it looks as though the always reliable Stefan Radu will be missing at left full, as well as the versatile Senad Lulic, who have both had to sit out training this week. In their absence Reja has been experimenting with Abdoulay Konko at left back this week. If the Frenchman were to start against the likes of Adrian, Falcao and Arda Turan on Thursday, he could be in for a rough night as he’s not proven. There is talk of new signee, Antonio Candreva, filling in for Lulic on the left of midfield.

As far as selection problems for Simeone go, the main concern is Tiago who is still carrying a knock after playing against Racing Santander on Saturday. The Portuguese player will be missed in the middle of the park, where he would more than likely act as the thorn in Hernanes’ side, keeping the Brazilian’s breathing time on the ball to a minimum. To that end, it might be a good opportunity for Paulo Assunção – who, so far under Simeone, has been a rare sight on match days - to impress his new boss on the European stage. Apart from that, Atleti look at full strength and should be looking to get something from this game to take into the return leg the following week.

Simeone’s arrival has shored things up defensively for the south Madrid club, Thibaut Courtois has not had to pick a single ball out of the back of his net since the former midfield general took over from Manzano. As well as that, away form has picked up dramatically compared to before Christmas, when they were the most road sick team in the league. In recent weeks though, the team has been running on hot air and scoring has become an issue that needs to be resolved. The return of European football and the big occasion is as good a catalyst as any to invigorate this group of very decent players again and the depleted state of their hosts is not doubt something the players are well aware of.

Prediction: a 2-0 win for the visitors as Lazio’s injury list proves too much of a burden for them to deal with.