Atlético Madrid is swiftly transitioning from their triumphant 5-2 win over Real Madrid to another formidable challenge as they host Eintracht Frankfurt in the UEFA Champions League league-stage match at the Estadio Metropolitano. Kickoff is scheduled for 9pm CET on Tuesday, allowing only a brief respite since the thrilling weekend derby.
Atlético and Frankfurt have a bit of history, their paths last crossing in the 1975 Cup Winners’ Cup, where the German team emerged victorious. This year’s Champions League sees Frankfurt as a “Pot 2” team, owing to their strong Bundesliga finish, although they have lost prominent attackers to the Premier League. Despite these changes, Frankfurt remains a powerhouse, scoring an impressive cache of goals across various matches this season.
Frankfurt’s dynamic play style, characterized by both attacking strength and defensive inconsistencies, has been captivating audiences. This makes them a challenging team to face, especially for Atlético, who have managed just one clean sheet so far. Atlético is keen to bounce back after losing to Liverpool at Anfield and is eyeing a necessary win to ease the pressure in the early stages of the competition.
Manager Diego Simeone will be absent from the touchline due to a one-game suspension following an incident at Anfield. As a result, assistant Nelson Vivas will oversee the team, with Simeone likely providing input from the stands. There are hopeful returns to training for key players Thiago Almada and José María Giménez, though neither is expected to feature in the match against Frankfurt.
The fixture might see a strategic reshuffling in the lineup, particularly in midfield and defense, to combat fatigue and handle Frankfurt’s attacking threat. Standout player Nico González has quickly become a crucial component on the left side of the pitch since his arrival, likely securing his spot in the starting eleven.
The anticipated lineup for the evening is projected to be Oblak; Llorente, Le Normand, Hancko, Galán; Simeone, Barrios, Gallagher, Nico; Baena, Alvarez. With resilience and tactical adjustments, Atlético Madrid aims to secure a win and strengthen their position in the competition, minimizing the stakes ahead of the upcoming match against Celta Vigo.