Idman.biz
Today in London, "Arsenal" and "Atletico Madrid" will play the second leg of the Champions League semi-final.
Idman.Biz reports that the match will take place at the "Emirates Stadium" and will start at 23:00 Baku time.
After the first match in Madrid, there is no advantage between the sides. The meeting at the "Metropolitano" stadium ended with a score of 1:1. Viktor Dyokeres scored from a penalty in the first half, and Xulian Alvares accurately converted an 11-meter kick after the break.
It should be noted that the teams will face each other for the third time this season. In the Champions League group stage, "Arsenal" defeated "Atletico" 4:0 at home. In that match, Dyokeres scored twice, and Gabriel Magalhaes and Gabriel Martinelli also scored. The semi-final match in Madrid was more intense and cautious, especially in the second half, Diego Simeone's team made a better impression.
The balance is maintained in the statistics of mutual games of the teams. In official matches, each team has won once, and two matches ended in a draw. However, the duel consisting of the last two games is in favor of the Madrid club. Thus, in the 2017/18 season, in the semi-final of the Europa League, "Atletico" won with a total score of 2:1 and advanced to the next stage, and then became the winner of the tournament.
"Arsenal" has only been able to pass the semi-final stage of the Champions League once in its history. In 2006, the "Gunners" eliminated "Villarreal" (1:0, 0:0) in the semi-finals, but lost to "Barcelona" 1:2 in the final.
Currently, Mikel Arteta's team is having an almost flawless European Cup season and is the only team in the tournament that has not lost. The team also has one of the most reliable defense lines.
"Atletico" knows the value of such matches well. The Madrid club reached the final of the European Champions Cup and the Champions League three times - in 1974, 2014 and 2016, but has not yet won the cup. In particular, the 2014 and 2016 finals lost to "Real Madrid" during Diego Simeone's era were more painful for the club.
Both teams will enter the return match after winning in their national championships. "Arsenal" defeated "Fulham" 3:0 in the Premier League and managed to score more than one goal in a match after a long break. "Atletico", on the other hand, beat "Valencia" 2:0 away in La Liga. In this meeting, Simeone gave some members of the main team a rest.
In terms of squad, the situation has improved for the home side: Martin Odegaard and Kay Havertz are ready for the game. In "Atletico", Xulian Alvares has fully recovered from the injury. However, Pablo Barrios and Niko Gonzales will miss the match due to injury.
Possible lineups:
"Arsenal": Raya; White, Saliba, Gabriel, Inkapie; Subimendi, Rice, Eze; Saka, Dyokeres, Martinelli.
"Atletico": Oblak; Llorente, Pubil, Le Norman, Rugeri; Giuliano Simeone, Koke, Kardoso, Lukman; Alvares, Griezmann.
Before the game, Mikel Arteta spoke about the team's motivation and fan support, saying that the players understand the importance of the match and are fully ready. Diego Simeone noted that his team should maintain the intensity shown in the second half of the first game.
Thus, a high-tension football evening awaits in London today, where there is no room for error. "Arsenal" will try to end the successful European Cup season with a logical ending, while "Atletico" will rely on their experience and ability to fight until the last minute. The fate of the match will most likely be decided by small details and composure.
