Atletico Madrid and their merry band of resolute warriors

By David Lee Wheatley
@davewh1980

 

Bayern Munich struggled to break Atletico Madrid down in the opening leg of their Champions League semi-final tie, but they’re certainly not the first to do so.

Diego Simeone’s men carved out a 1-0 lead on Wednesday evening to take into the second leg at Bayern’s Allianz Arena next week.

They did it in part due to a wonderful show of individual skill by exciting 21-year-old midfielder Saul Niguez that put Atleti in front, prior to a defensive display full of grit and determination to eventually get the job done.

That result and performance should not have come as a surprise to anyone, not least visiting coach Pep Guardiola, who has now lost on three occasions to Atletico in his managerial career.

The so-called poorer city neighbours of glamorous Real are causing ripples both domestically and in continental competition, which could yet see them claim a hugely significant double this season.

Atletico Madrid boast one the very best defensive units across Europe’s big-five leagues on 16 goals conceded in 35 games played, with only last night’s opponents Bayern having conceded less [14] in that category.

In addition, the Spanish capital side have kept more clean sheets than any other team participating in the continent’s top-five domestic championships, owing to an outstanding 33 shut-outs in 52 all-competition outings.

The Rojiblancos haven’t allowed any goals in 14 of their latest 16 Champions League matches contested at the Vicente Calderon.

A key factor in everything they achieved during their stunning 2013-14 campaign, in which they won La Liga and reached the finale of Europe’s premier competition, was team spirit.

Working hard for the shirt, for each other and also for their popular head coach Simeone was central to their success – and that collective soul has remained under the enthusiastic Argentine.

Alongside an obvious togetherness within the tight-knit Atleti squad, there are several specific traits which allow the Colchoneros to thrive.

Central midfielders Lucas Fernandez and captain Gabi work in tandem to such a degree that they rarely stray more than a few feet away from one another, whilst hunting furiously for the ball.

Their impervious back-line, marshalled superbly by Stefan Savic, have allowed the least amount of shots against them per game [9.6] and made the highest amount of tackles per match [24.5] overall in La Liga this term.   

Former Fiorentina centre-back Savic, who singularly failed to impress during a previous stint at English Premier League outfit Manchester City, has proved to be a stand-out performer since arriving in Spain last summer. His club have not lost any of their 16 matches with the Montenegrin in the starting line-up across all competitions.

Meanwhile, Slovenian goalkeeper Jan Oblak is the stopper with most shut-outs in a single European Cup season for the Madrid-based club on eight, since Miguel Reina posted seven in 1973-74.

Furthermore, Oblak has repelled the last 16 on-target shots he has been forced to deal with at home in the Champions League, including seven versus Die Roten on Wednesday.

Those combined efforts were in stark evidence at the Calderon during their titanic clash against Bayern, which stopped Guardiola’s free-scoring Bavarians from notching an away goal despite enjoying 74 per cent of possession.

With Barcelona’s sudden wobble at the top of Spain’s Primera Division having left the door ajar for Atleti to clamber back into the title race, plus their heroics in European action, it’s wholly conceivable that this roughhouse group of dedicated footballers could upset the applecart as they have done so many times in the past.

 

And, with the effervescent Diego Simeone kicking and heading every ball as he watches on proudly, who would bet against them?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bayern gear up for trophy tilt

By David Lee Wheatley

The Thursday signing of Xabi Alonso sent out a statement of intent suggesting Bayern Munich are ready for another assault on Champions' League glory following the desperately disappointing end to last season when falling to Real Madrid in the semi-final of the same competition.

Pep Guardiola has been sourcing a replacement for Toni Kroos most of the summer, who moved on to Real Madrid after a hugely successful World Cup campaign. Though the head coach had to wait until the Bundesliga season began before securing a worthy signing in Kroos' place, it could be argued that an upgrade has actually been installed in the centre of the park with the £8m purchase of the recently-retired Spanish international.

Alonso may be 32 now, but age is no barrier to a classy player of his type, who utilises his brain and passing ability more than any pace that he may have had. The ex-Liverpool star could indeed keep playing on at the highest level for many years to come and Bayern will reap the rewards of that projected longevity.

Along with the midfielder, Bayern have recruited a top-class goalkeeper in the shape of Pepe Reina to cover for the highly impressive Manuel Neuer. Additionally, Borussia Dortmund goal-getter Robert Lewandowski and powerful Roma defender Mehdi Benatia also joined up over the course of the transfer window to bolster a squad which certainly appeared a little jaded when suffering the demoralisation of heavy defeat against Real last April.

Robert Lewandowski got off the mark in competitive football for his new club in yesterday's 1-1 draw away to tough opponents Schalke, while Xabi Alonso made a tidy 68-minute debut appearance. The stats showcased what the Basque-born World Cup winner brings to any team in which he features with more touches during the match than any of his new team-mates, but Bayern struggled to create a great amount of opportunities.

However, Alonso will get fitter, while Lewandowski and Thomas Muller shall undoubtedly plunder many goals throughout the campaign in a burgeoning and potentially potent partnership.

Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery will again be absolutely crucial on either wing and with Mario Gotze gradually becoming more influential, too, it should be a very exciting season for Guardiola's men as they attempt to retain the German domestic title and regain their grip on the Champions' League crown.

Xabi Alonso will be at the heart of everything they eventually achieve and may make Real's directors feel massively regretful over their decision to sanction his switch to the Allianz Arena.

Twitter: @davewh1980

Bayern must keep faith with Guardiola

By David Lee Wheatley

Fresh from his celebratory beer-soaking yesterday afternoon following a 1-0 victory over Stuttgart at the Allianz Arena in the last league fixture of a title-winning campaign, Bayern head coach Pep Guardiola now looks ahead to the DFB-Pokal final next week in which he hopes to secure the double during his first season in charge of the German giants.

Much has been written and said railing against the former Barcelona supremo's insistence on the enforcement of his famed possession-based tactical philosophy after the Bavarians bowed out of the Champions' League in meek fashion to Real Madrid at the semi-final stage. Many observers feel that Pep simply doesn't have a 'Plan B' to fall back on when his tiki-taka approach isn't working satisfactorily enough.

Despite the growing number of doubters, it's difficult to argue against his side's domestic dominance which has Bayern sitting at the top of the table by an incredible 19-point margin above closest challengers Borussia Dortmund, whom they also meet in Berlin for the showpiece Cup final next Saturday. The Munich outfit have plundered 29 wins from 34 games played, while drawing three and losing just two; both defeats coming after the league crown had been confirmed.

A potential double on home soil, coupled with a run to the last four of Europe's premier competition, would normally be more than adequate at most clubs. However, the reigning continental and World Club Cup holders have been heavily spoiled by their extraordinary success of recent years and are struggling to adjust to the fact that they haven't made yet another Champions' League final.

What must be noted is that Guardiola is in the midst of a huge task that will take time to fully integrate and indeed should eventually pay handsome dividends if the club's hierarchy and fanatical support show patience towards the Catalan tactical guru. He took over a Bayern side that was all about power, pace and physical presence; now he wants to keep that to an extent, allied to his favoured style of passing, movement and high pressing. It's not an overnight job and that has to be recognised in order for Pep to finally realise his ultimate goal of leading the Germans to the greatest heights in their history.

Guardiola himself recently stated: "I cannot be Bayern coach if I have to say things I don't agree with. That would be bad for the club and for the players, who are intelligent. They wouldn't trust me if I wasn't true to myself.

"It's up to the club to decide whether I'm the right coach for this club. That's not up to me.

"The team must play according to the ideas of the coach. I am convinced that is the only solution for the club.

"I didn't come here to change German football culture any more than that of Bayern. But when I speak to my players on a daily basis I can't talk about ideas in which I don't believe."

This is his way, his understanding of the game as it should be played and his mantra which he will stick with no matter what; there is no way on earth that the highly-decorated coach will alter his plans now to curry favour with the media or his employers. Guardiola has unwavering belief in his methods and 14 trophies over the course of four enthralling years in charge down in Catalonia says he's correct to stay with what works for him.

Of course, it was acutely disappointing for Bayern to lose out so embarrassingly to Real Madrid during that 0-4 drubbing at home in the semi-final second leg, but they absolutely have to hang on to their Spaniard and give him all the backing they can muster. It's my firm opinion that Guardiola's philosophy will pay off in the medium and long-term should the Bavarian decision-makers show their support for him throughout the remainder of his contract.

It would be a huge mistake to cut the cord at this point when Pep's project is still in its infancy and the Bundesliga shield is surely just the first of many trophies that will wind their way into an already full-to-bursting trophy cabinet in the near future.

Twitter: @davewh1980

Champions' League club focus: Bayern Munich

By David Lee Wheatley

Most observers' idea of a dream final got pulled out of the hat at the semi-final stage when reigning European champions Bayern Munich were paired with the 'Galacticos' of Real Madrid.

The tasty tie will see former Barça hero Pep Guardiola come up against his nemesis Real in a mouthwatering 'Clash of the Titans', which will undoubtedly produce the bookmakers' favourites to claim this year's title.

Bayern defended their domestic crown in style by winning the Bundesliga at a canter; they remained unbeaten until a surprise loss to Augsburg on April 5th, which was followed up a week later by a 0-3 thrashing at the hands of great rivals Borussia Dortmund. However, it must be stressed that top spot had been sealed long before those twin setbacks - after a record 27 games in fact - and perhaps their collective attention has wandered towards the task of holding on to the biggest prize in European football.

They've displayed some apparent frailties in Champions' League action this term with a disappointing loss during the group stages to Manchester City and a rather uninspiring first-leg draw at Old Trafford before disposing of Premier Lesgue strugglers Manchester United in their second meeting.

Exalted head coach Guardiola is seeking to infuse his own pass-and-move style of football with Bayern's more traditional game built on their superior power and strength. It's still very much a work in progress, but the class of footballer that the Catalan can call upon offers the German giants a distinct possibility of reaching the final for the fourth time in five seasons.

Manuel Neuer has missed two successive games through injury, but should be fit to start Wednesday's first encounter at the Bernebeu. He is far and away Guardiola's number one and the club will move hell and high water in order to get him fit to start the match in Madrid. Captain Lahm has largely featured in a new midfield role handed to him by the imaginative Pep, but has since retreated to a more recognisable position of full-back recently. Jerome Boateng, Dante and David Alaba are the regular three alongside the man who eventually gets the nod at right-back, be it Lahm or Rafinha.

There are two prominent formations regularly utilised by the former Spain international, either 4-1-4-1 with Lahm as the holding player or 4-2-3-1. Guardiola's Barcelona side loved to create through the middle, with Messi the main focus of attack when floating around an area between midfield and attack. They attempted to pass opposition teams into submission, while pressing the ball when out of possession on the basis of a seven-second rule which was intrinsically understood and carried out with incisive precision.

It's vastly different at Bayern, due mainly to their over-reliance on the silky skills of Franck Ribery and Arjen Robben. Though they possess myriad talented footballers in the middle of the park, it's when they deliver the ball to their dashing wingers that defenders become most concerned. Meanwhile, the increased anticipation of an expectant Bavarian crowd is palpable when those two speed demons drive into the final third of the pitch.

Assuming the Germans go for a 4-2-3-1 line-up in the Spanish capital, plus Lahm does indeed settle into the right-hand side of defence, then the two screening midfielders will probably be Javi Martinez and the inspirational Bastian Schweinsteiger. In front of them, Dutchman Robben will take up residence on the right with French playmaker Ribery implanted to the left of a lone striker. Toni Kroos is then likely to pull the strings from the centre of the pack behind feared forward Mario Mandzukic, who should lead the line in his usual bustling style.

Numerous alternative options from deeper within an extremely strong squad include Mario Gotze, Thiago Alcantara, Rafinha, Thomas Muller, Claudio Pizarro, Holger Badstuber, Diego Contento and Daniel Van Buyten. The guy who'll feel most harshly treated will be the versatile Muller should he get forced to take up a watching brief from the bench and it may be that he actually sneaks into the starting XI ahead of Kroos or Mandzukic.

Although they have gone off the boil somewhat in domestic circles recently, there's no doubting the capability of Bayern's all-star side to pull off a famous victory. Additionally, Guardiola knows his Madrid foes inside-out thanks to a glittering spell in charge of his beloved Barcelona and that understanding of his opponents should stand him in good stead heading into this extremely tough two-legged tie.

Despite sluggish performances against the likes of Manchester United, Augsburg and Dortmund throughout recent weeks, it's still difficult to see beyond Bayern for the trophy once again this season.

Twitter: @davewh1980

Champions' League club focus: Real Madrid

By David Lee Wheatley

Spanish giants Real Madrid were granted a free weekend in preparation for their Champions' League clash against Bayern Munich, with the first leg on Wednesday at the Bernebeu. Well rested and ready to go, can they halt Bayern's charge towards a second successive Champions' League trophy?

Carlo Ancelotti's men bounced another two German clubs out of the competition in the shape of Borussia Dortmund and near neighbours Schalke within the knockout stages so far, but struggled to sweep Dortmund aside ultimately despite a comfortable 3-0 victory in the quarter-final first leg. Real Madrid travelled to the industrial heartland of Germany apparantly in total control of the tie, yet lost 0-2 on the evening and were hanging on by the end.

Bundesliga champions already with matches to spare, Bayern Munich represent a significant step up in class from Real's previous German opponents and will provide their sternest test yet in this year's competition. They put English pair Arsenal and Manchester United to the sword prior to being paired with the Madrid behemoth and will feel confident of progressing to the final in order to have the opportunity to defend their title.

Highly decorated former Juventus, Milan, Chelsea and PSG supremo Ancelotti has tactical options open to him, with his squad equally adept at operating a free-flowing 4-3-3 formation or a more conservative 4-2-3-1 set-up. A lot will depend on Cristiano Ronaldo's fitness in terms of team selection, as the Portuguese star is struggling to make the opening meeting with Bayern due to a hamstring injury that saw him miss his side's midweek Copa del Rey triumph over arch-rivals Barcelona.

With the onus on Real to force the issue at home during the first leg of the contest, it's likely they will select an attacking 4-3-3 line-up with Bale and Isco sitting either side of main striker Karim Benzema in the expected absence of Ronaldo. Bale has been in tremendous form of late and his remarkable winning strike with minutes left in Valencia to claim the King's Cup firmly established him as a true Galactico.

The midfield will consist of the outstanding Luka Modric, Xabi Alonso and Angel Di Maria, who's ability to get down the wing and get accurate crosses into the box will be key to Real's success on the evening. Then, a back-four made up of Carvajal, Ramos, Pepe and probably Coentrao will sit ahead of regular goalkeeper Diego Lopez; Copa hero and former Real captain Iker Casillas is unlikely to maintain his position between the sticks despite his involvement in Wednesday's victory.

Should Cristiano Ronaldo become available, it'd push the youthful Isco out of the starting eleven. However, it's doubtful that Ancelotti will be able to call upon his 45-goal genius and that would be a shattering blow to the Italian's hopes of guiding his team to a solid first-leg lead. He requires all of his big guns in place from the start of this two-legged tie, otherwise it's quite conceivable that Real will need to pull off an unlikely win in Munich if they wish to make the final in Lisbon.

Doubts surround Los Blancos' stomach for the fight following their surrender in the north-west Ruhr region of Germany, which almost cost them their spot in the final four of this season's Champions' League. However, on their day they are a truly fantastic side and if they manage to get Ronaldo back in the mix and firing on all cylinders, the lifting of their first European Cup since 2002 could be within their grasp.

Twitter: @davewh1980