Simeone’s erratic Atlético and Xabi Alonso’s erratic Leverkusen face a final to survive at the Metropolitan
Win to keep fighting for survival among the greats of Europe or die trying. At this point, after a painful win, two bloody defeats away from home and a recent mediocre draw against Bruges at the Metropolitano, there are no other alternatives to Atletico in the Champions League. Cholo Simeone’s team receives Bayer Leverkusen from Xabi Alonso, the bottom of the group, with the commitment to add a success in the short term that will allow them to continue fighting for second place and the ticket to the round of 16.
For the penultimate day, the accounts are pretty clear. Atlético are third, two points behind Porto, second and most important competitor, once the surprising Bruges has made it to the mathematical classification. A draw at the Jan Breydel Stadium against the Dragons is enough for the Belgian champions to guarantee their place as champions.
The best thing for mattress makers is that they are still left to their own devices. “We’ve spent seasons that it takes us to get into the second round. Then, because the team competes better when they already have duels, Simeone complained after the last draw against Bruges. “We are in a place where the only good thing is that we have to win the two remaining games, against Leverskusen and in Porto, in order to continue,” added the Atlético coach, aware that if his army this Wednesday not win. and in turn the Portuguese conquer the beautiful Belgian canal city, it would already be out of the Champions League.
Interesting, therefore, the duel of strategists between Cholo and the Tolosa coach, who returns to a team with whom he measured himself as a player and against whom he even won a Champions League. The people of Madrid are clinging to the best version of Griezmann, on the rise and able to score three goals and provide one assist in the last three league games. Since his contract was terminated and he is now Atlético for all intents and purposes, the Frenchman falls in love again with a fan who idolized him one day and then cursed him after signing with Barça.
“We see the Griezmann we had, who is a football leader. He is focused, his teammates understand him, he understands his teammates and that generates good feelings,” said Simeone about a football player who arrives, scores, defends and above all builds up from the midfield and associates well with Morata.
A great couple to damage a Leverkusen in crisis. Xabi Alonso made his debut on October 8 with a landslide against Schalke, but has since forgotten what it’s like to win. A heavy defeat at home to Porto (0-3) and a losing game and a draw in their last two Bundesliga games mark Xabi’s path to leading the German team.
“You can find positive things and move on because we have another fight against Atletico on Wednesday,” the Gipuzkoan consoled himself after the 2-2 draw with Wolfsburg that allowed Bayer to leave the relegation zone this weekend. The game against Atletico, the only side to have beaten Leverkusen in this Champions League, is the last chance to react and move on in Europe.
Source: La Verdad
I’m an experienced news author and editor based in New York City. I specialize in covering healthcare news stories for Today Times Live, helping to keep readers informed on the latest developments related to the industry. I have a deep understanding of medical topics, including emerging treatments and drugs, the changing laws that regulate healthcare providers, and other matters that affect public health.
