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

Second Leg with a Foot in the Door: Atlético Madrid vs Lazio

This Thursday in the Spanish capital Atlético Madrid and Lazio conclude the second leg of their Europa League fixture on banks of the city’s Manzanares river. Last week the Italians were humbled on their home turf, and as far as order measurements go, theirs is going to be quite a tall one if they are to progress any further in the competition. The Roman side has a 3-1 deficit to overcome against a rojiblanco team which, so far under Simeone’s stewardship, has only leaked two goals in eight competitive matches.

Domestically speaking, neither team had a encouraging weekend on the back of last week’s encounter, with both being frustrated by “lesser” opposition. In Lazio’s case, the wounds they were left to lick were particularly deep, as eighth placed Palermo gave them a 5-1 pummelling, which saw them drop down to fourth in Serie A and led an embarrassed Edy Reja to admit, "we had a total blackout" after the final whistle.

Lullabies and good night kisses are what one would expect the former Napoli coach to lavish upon Sunday’s experimental 3-4-1-2 formation before putting it to bed ahead of Thursday’s trip to the Calderon, but his hand may be forced again as injury woes still abound for the Biancocelestis (White and sky blues). So depleted is the Lazio squad at the moment that Christian Ledesma was played as a centre half during the humiliation in the Stadio Renzo Barbera on the weekend. With the likes of Stefan Radu and Giuseppe Biava still out, and players like Abdoulay Konko (suspensed for the Palermo game) probably low on confidence after being humbled against the Spanish side last week, Reja has very few resources at hand to pacify the Atleti front line.

Luckily for him though, aside from their master class in Rome last week, the rojiblanco machine has not exactly been firing on all cylinders of late. On Sunday Cholo’s men were held to their third league stale mate in a row, as a plucky, second-from-bottom Sporting Gijon held them to a 1-1 draw in the Molinon. This uninspiring string of results raises some legitimate concerns about the wastefulness on display, especially considering the talent at the Madrid’s club disposal - they had to rely on Canella to score an o.g. for their only goal in Cantabria.

Dropped points not withstanding, the worst thing to come out of Sunday’s la liga clash was the news of Diego’s hamstring injury, which will see the Brazilian side lined for at least a month. Without his creative flair and vision in the centre of the park Atleti are definitely a weaker team and his absence on Thursday arguably leaves Simeone without his best player since taking over. On a positive note for the Argentine, Tiago should be available to fill in for the Werder Bremen loanee, and with Mario taking on the role of the holding midfielder, the Portuguese player could be pushed higher up the pitch (a position he is already comfortable with) to help pull the strings for the likes of Koke, Adrian and Falcao.

Whatever the concerns about firepower are for the home side, the fact of the matter is that this game is theirs to lose and as long as they can contain Klose and Alfaro up front, Lazio don’t stand much of a chance of beating them. Defensively, Atleti look very assured and breaking them down will be a real test for the off-form visitors.

The Italians are in a catch 22 situation, where committing men forward in order to overhaul their deficit is necessary but at the risk of exposing a make-shift defence to the likes of Adrian and Falcao who thrive on counterattacking football.

Prediction: Like the first leg I see Atlético upping their game for the European stage, especially at home, where they have convincingly won all of their Europa League matches so far this campaign.

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.

Málaga vs Atlético Madrid

Tuning into tonight’s clash at the Rosaleda one could have been forgiven for thinking that they had stumbled upon some kind of River Plate exhibition match. Los Millonarios were well represented by both Málaga and Atlético on the pitch, with ex-players Falcao, Buonanotte and Demichelis present, as well as on the sidelines, with former Argentina Primera División championship winning coaches, Manuel Pellegrini and Diego Simeone controlling the respective benches.

But despite the Buenos Aires connection, there was no feeling of “friendly” or “testimonial” hanging over this encounter. Both sides were out to start this year with a bang and put a disappointing 2011 behind them and this desire to rectify two poor league campaigns ensured for a hotly contested match from start to finish - although it has to be said that the intensity of the first half trailed off somewhat during the second.    

Simeone and Pellegrini on the sidelines

This was the juiciest of all this weekend’s fixture list ties for many reasons but the main one concerned the arrival of one man in particular.

All eyes were on the aforementioned Diego ‘El Cholo’ Simeone, Atleti’s new manager. And the Argentine showed his intent to change things for the South Madrid club before the match had even kicked off, with the controversial (if not head scratching) decision to drop arguably Atleti’s two most consistent performers, Arda Turan and Adrian, from the starting XI.

Pre-match talk of a baptism of fire for Manzano’s replacement was not completely overstated. While Málaga hasn’t come close to firing on all cylinders yet, their home form in the league has been impressive (5W, 1D, 1L). Also, los Boquerones are in direct competition with Atleti for a European spot in May, with both clubs no doubt eyeing up the fourth Champions League as their main objective, so tonight’s game bore even more pressure than an ordinary managerial debut would.

In the end it finished scoreless, neither team possessing the required fire power to really trouble their opponent. But that’s not to say there weren’t any chances. With the back and forth tempo at the beginning of the match both sides had opportunities to open up the scoring: Tiago could have released Salvio, who was running into space, instead of tamely attempting to lop Willy Cabellero. Seconds later, and at the other end, Buonanotte was denied from an acute angle when Courtois came out to save his shot. Even Felipe got in on the shooting action with a well-struck volley from outside the area, but ultimately Cabellero was able to smother it comfortably.

Again Pellegrini favoured Salomón Rondon over Van Nistelrooy in his selection and his faith in the Venezuelan was almost repaid early on, when the striker rose to meet a Santi Cazorla free kick with a bullet header, that was destined for the back of the net. However, Belgian wonder kid Courtois spectacularly diverted it with an instinctive and strong left handed save, putting it out for a corner instead.

Soon after and the visitors could have nicked a lead after some trickery and an element of luck saw Salvio wriggle past Demichelis on the left to pass to Diego, whose shot took a wicked deflection and ricocheted off the cross bar.

Another chance for the home side went begging when somehow neither Toulalan nor Welington could direct a gloriously placed cross by Cazorla from a free kick into the net.

The second half was lower on highlights but (for any coaching enthusiasts who were watching) Cazorla encapsulated the importance of having a man guarding the post for a corner, when he prevented a goal-bound Godín header from sneaking into the bottom corner.

Pellegrini’s experience with Falcao was apparent by just how impotent the usually effective Colombian was tonight. Welington, making a rare appearance in the starting XI, had El Tigre in his pocket for the entirety of the match - outwitting the lone striker and matching him for pace time after time. Apart from a headed goal, which was disallowed for impeding Cabellero, the former Porto star’s most notable contribution to the game came in the 65^th minute, when out of frustration he chopped down Monreal with a nasty, late challenge.

El Cholo starts his managerial career with a valuable away point, something los colchoneros struggled to do up until now this season, but there will be some question marks over his team selection tonight. The fact that he waited until the 88^th minute to introduce Adrian was a particularly baffling, considering how clearly off the boil Falcao was.

Meanwhile, Málaga continue to miss Baptista, neither Rondon or Van Nistelrooy look threatening enough to unsettle opposition defences and if Champions League is the objective, then these two don’t look up to the task.

Full Time: Málaga 0 Atlético Madrid 0

Fact: Tonight was only the second time in the league this season that Málaga failed to score at home and Atleti didn’t concede away.

Málaga: Caballero, Gámez, Welington, Demichelis, Monreal, Toulalan, Cazorla, Bounanotte, Isco, Juanmi, Rondón

Subs used: Van Nistelrooy, Duda, Apoño

Atlético Madrid: Courtois, Perea, Godín, Domínguez, Filipe, Tiago, Juanfran, Gabi, Diego, Salvio, Falcao

Subs used: Adrian, Arda

Referee Texeira Vitienes

Atleti's unsuspecting hero: Adrían

The inevitable departure of Kun Agüero from the Vicente Calderón this summer, followed by Diego Forlán’s decision to move on soon after, must have sent shivers down the spine of many an Atlético Madrid fan, as they wondered where the goals would come from in the upcoming season. Well, the arrival of Falcao in august was precisely the rebound they needed to get over their heartbreak and move on.

However, El Tigre’s dream start was not to continue indefinitely, and since dazzling the Atleti faithful by scoring six times in his first four games, his marksmanship has deteriorated somewhat. Opposition defenders had started to identify him as the target man, and thus the team’s mini crisis began. The goals had dried up and there didn’t seem to be any remedy for it-who else but the overly depended upon Falcao could convert for los Colchoneros? Adrián López, of course.

Adrián was, until Falcoa’s entrance, Atlético’s trophy acquisition of the summer. Not exactly receiving the welcome his soon-to-be strike partner did (about 10,000 fans greeted the former Colombian star), the Asturian didn’t really hit the ground running.

Even prior to joining the Madrid outfit from Deportivo, many fans had their reservations about the striker. Not renowned for his prowess in front of goal, some saw him as a panic signing, not capable of solving their goal-scoring conundrum. And with cause too: the 23 year old was held partially culpable by many Dépor aficionados for the Galician club’s descent to La Segunda back in May, sighting his lacklustre firing ability up front as one of the reasons for being relegated: 38 starts and nine run outs as a substitute were repaid with a modest eight goal return.

However, an eye for goal has not eluded the player at international level, where he has always managed to shine, albeit at under age level. He started his Spanish career brightly at the 2007 Under-20 World Cup in Canada. This was back when La Roja didn’t expect to win major tournaments (like they and everyone else does now), and this time was to be no different as they went out to the Czech Republic on penalties. Nonetheless, Adrián bagged five goals during the competition and the received the Silver boot as a result-curiously being pipped to the gold by the man he would later replace, Agüero.

During the European Under-21 Championship earlier this year (yes, I know he was 23 then, but apparently you’re allowed have two older boys in the squad, probably to act as chaperones), he not only lifted the trophy but, this time round, managed to secure the Golden Boot award also: again finding the net five times.

The unrest he caused opposition defenders on the way to Spain’s coronation as champions caught the eye of Gregorio Manzano, the man chosen to replace Quique Sánchez at Atlético. The miner’s son was lured down to the Spanish capital in June, as process of rebuilding began.

Up until recently Alteti’s season had been dogged with problems on and off the field. The aforementioned reliance on Falcao, a very public bust-up between Manzano and Reyes, due to the latters dissatisfaction at not featuring regularly enough, and a general lack of cohesion between the players in the squad had done nothing to boost moral for Atleti. Not to mention the chants from certain sections of the support to sack the manager not just before Christmas, but Halloween!

Good thing then that the head coach is commonly referred to as El Profesor in the Spanish press, because of his hard headedness and man management skills . Reyes aside, at least the players seem to be on the manager’s side, as was witnessed in their post match reaction to the 3-0 drubbing they received at the hands of Bielsa’s Athletic Bilboa. Instead of shirking from their responsibilities and allowing the gaffer to take the flack, the team held up their hands individually on what was a woeful display.

That thrashing in San Mamés was just over a week ago but, just as a week is a long time in politics, so too is it in football. Since then Atleti has decisively beaten Zaragoza in the league and Udinese in the Europa League. And Adrián was on hand on both occasions to provide the goods, scoring braces in both games and generally showing all the promise he displayed during the Under-21 tournament.

So what happened to the supposedly goal shy forward to take the focus off his manager, Falcoa, and the rest of his teammates for that matter? Well, it’s quite simple really: now Manzano is employing a 4-4-2 or 4-3-1-2 formation, with Falcao and Adrían up top. Sitting behind them are players like Arda, Diego Costa, Gabi and Mario Suárez, who like to have the ball at their feet rather than running into channels.

By pushing Adrían further up the field, Manzano is now giving the number 7 more freedom to use his blistering pace to create opportunities, which Atlético has been craving for a while. Sitting off Falcao, the Asturian is acting as the missing link between midfield and the front line. While Falcao remains the target man, Adrían can use this to his advantage, as his tireless work rate will undoubtedly cause a great deal of defensive headaches.

The next test is away to Getafe in a local derby this Sunday. Only pulling off a draw in the same fixture last year, Atlético should be looking to take all three points from the Coliseum this time of asking, as El Geta finds itself dead bottom of the table.

Regardless of who the opponents are one thing is for sure, with Adrían working the flanks and running at the back four supported by the quality of Falcao, Atleti are going to be a menace.