The UEFA Champions League is closing towards its business end. This season we saw many great teams competing against each other for the prestigious title. We have reached the quarter-finals stage and 8 teams are remaining, one of which will lift the silverware.
After the first leg, the picture is even more clear which 4 are likely to progress. Now coming into this clash, Manchester City vs Atletico Madrid will be an evenly contested game. Manchester City just managed to win the first leg by 1-goal margin.
Preview
Manchester City is coming off a well-fought draw against Liverpool. The Cityzens managed to maintain their one-point lead over their Premier League rival this weekend. On other hand, their opponents Atletico Madrid are coming into this clash after a 1-0 loss to relegation-threatened Mallorca.
Where will the match take place?
Madrid’s Wanda Metropolitano will host the match.
Where can one watch the Atletico Madrid vs Manchester City match?
Sony Ten Sports will broadcast the live telecast of the UCL ATM vs Man City.
Where can one live stream the ATM vs CITY match?
Sony Liv will live stream the matches on its app.
Where to catch live updates of this all-important match?
One can visit www.sportstiger.com for live ball-by-ball updates. He/She can also download the SportsTiger App, available on Google Play Store & Apple App Store.
Team News
Manchester City has no new injury concerns but their star striker Gabriel Jesus is suspended for this game. However, their ace defender Ruben Dias will be fit for this all-important clash. Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola will have a fully fit squad to choose from.
Similarly, Atletico Madrid doesn't have any major injury concerns apart from Hector Herrera who is yet to return to his full fitness from the thigh injury he suffered at the end of last month.
Predicted Line-up
Manchester City
Formation: 4-3-3 False 9
GK: Ederson
RB: Kyle Walker
CB: Aymeric Laporte
CB: Ruben Dias
LB: Joao Cancelo
CDM: Rodri
CM: Kevin De Bruyne
CM: Bernardo Silva
RW: Riyad Mahrez
False 9: Phil Foden
LW: Raheem Sterling
Atletico Madrid
Formation – 3-5-2
GK: Jan Oblak
CB: Stefan Savic
CB: Gimenez
CB: Mario Hermoso
LWB: Renan Lodi
RWB: Vrsalijko
CM: Marcus Llorente
CM: Koke
CM: Rodrigo De Paul
ST: Griezmann
LW: Joao Felix
Analysis
Manchester City:
One of the most tactically well-set teams in Europe is Manchester City, managed by the master tactician Pep Guardiola. Pep goes with a traditional 4-3-3 attacking formation with a few puzzles hidden between it. Ederson plays the role of a sweeper-keeper delivering some dangerous long balls. Cancelo and Walker play the role of inverted fullbacks. Bernardo Silva builds up attacks from midfield and is good at tackling too. KDB takes the role of delivering defence splitting passes and creates decisive goal-scoring chances. Foden, Mahrez, and Sterling play as wide wingers to cross more into the box. As Guardiola often employs a false nine or second striker in big matches, the CMs slide in between the left-over spaces of defenders. Rodri plays the role of a ball snatcher. While defending, City transforms into a 5-3-2 to thwart deadly attacks. This is how City's game under Pep unfolds.
Atletico Madrid:
Diego Simeone goes with a usual 3-5-2 formation against tough opponents. But it changed to a 5-3-2 while defending and we saw in the first leg how Atletico parked the bus. Lodi and Vrsaljko play the role of wing-backs who advance forward in attacking and do the bulk of wing play. Felipe Luis acts as a good ball-carrying CB. Llorente is the most vital part of Atletico's midfield who dictates the game, builds-up play from the back, and creates goal-scoring chances. Koke is a snatcher of the ball as well as brings attacks down the middle. Felix plays the role of a second striker who constantly changes position. Griezmann also drops sometimes to link up well with Felix. In attack, they play a 3-4-3 formation. After that first leg loss, Atletico needs to score to win so expect someone to play an attacking game, therefore seeing a shift in strategy.
Players to watch out for
Kevin De Bruyne:
The Belgian midfielder is one of the driving forces behind the triumphant run of City under Pep over the years. He is a top-notch guy who has the ability to make the best out of himself in big games. His contributions in the match become too vital for his team. The creativity of De Bruyne isn’t unknown to the world with his pin-point passing, serving as an icing on the cake. Kevin already has bagged 12 goals and 3 assists to his name this season. His goal in the first-leg earned Man City a 1-0 advantage going into the second-leg. If City is to win at Wanda Metropolitano, they need KDB to fire.
Antoine Griezmann:
Griezmann is directly involved in more than 20 of their goals. His off-the-ball movements within the box are the deadliest ones. Griezmann also drops deep well to link up with other players and builds up attack. Griezmann’s heading abilities complement his goal-scoring proficiency and he can be any defender’s nightmare on his day. If Atletico Madrid is to turn this time around, Griezmann will be key for Simone's team.
Conclusion
All in all, we can expect a highly contested game from both teams. Manchester City would want to go one step closer to that prestigious UCL title, meanwhile, for Atletico Madrid, it's their only chance of grabbing silverware this season.