At a Glance:
- Atletico Madrid have changed a crucial factor ahead of the upcoming fixture
- Arsenal’s matchup with Atletico last year ended in a 4-0 win for the Gunners
- Diego Simeone reveals a factor he thinks might help Atletico win
Arsenal have faced Atletico Madrid two times so far this season, once back in October and the other being the first leg of the Champions League semi-final.
The first game, in the league phase of the Champions League, ended with a very convincing 4-0 scoreline to Arsenal, with Viktor Gyokeres—who has been in great form for the Gunners recently—scoring a brace.
Their second meeting came only last week, as a scrappy battle at the Wanda Metropolitano saw their Champions League semi-final opener finish 1-1, leaving everything still to play for at the Emirates.
Atletico manager Diego Simeone has made one interesting change ahead of tomorrow’s matchup in the second leg, however, and it could be one that gives his away side the edge to win the game.
READ MORE: Viktor Gyokeres reveals reason behind recent form ahead of clash vs. Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid make hotel change following 4-0 Arsenal thrashing in London earlier this year
When reports earlier today broke that the Atletico Madrid would be sleeping in a different hotel to the one they were in last October, before losing to Arsenal, Atletico coach Diego Simeone was asked on if this was down to superstition.
Simeone responded that “we [Atletico] are [a better team] now than in October. The hotel was cheaper and that’s why we changed.”
Asked on if his routine tomorrow upon arrival will be to focus on team-building in the hotel or practicing before the game, Simeone was succinct:
“We need to work with what is left to finish the game. The idea is clear. We hope to transmit it in the best way so that tomorrow we can have a good game.”
The Argentine coach will be happy to have star player Julian Alvarez at least in the squad, although it is unkown whether he will feature. If he does, it could be decisive in the outcome of the game.
Diego Simeone cites ‘intensity’ as important factor in Atletico being able to win
On his tactics and mentality heading into the game, Simeone confessed that it would be intensity and desire that would play the most important factor, rather than any tactical tweak:
“Well, we always go back to more or less the same thing. We want to play the game that needs to be played, with intensity and the capacity to win, whether the game wins or not. I hope that the hierarchy of the players elevates the performance of the team. We have a lot of faith in what we do, we are convinced and sure of what we want in terms of the game, and then, obviously, it will not depend on us.”
