Written by Damien Kayat for @Hollywoodbets.
Atletico Madrid vs Juventus | Wednesday 01 October | Vicente Calderon | 20:45
Atletico Madrid defied just about everyone’s expectations last season with a fairytale run that could only be finished by Cristiano Ronaldo’s history making Real Madrid side. Diego Simeone has survived something of a squad exodus through a careful restructuring of the side. Juventus have yet to replicate their staggering domestic consistency on the European front. They will be without creative stalwart Andrea Pirlo, a fact which could see a greater reliance on keeping concerted possession rather than initiating swift counterattacks. The Vicente Calderon should play host to yet another epic Champions League encounter this week.
To Win (90mins)
Atletico Madrid 11/10
Draw 21/10
Juventus 5/2
Atletico Madrid
Diego Simeone’s side were disappointingly beaten by perennial Champions League spoilers Olympiakos in the first week. They will welcome back new striker Mario Mandzukic this week however, who was injured for the first game in Greece. He will soon need to replicate Diego Costa’s scoring heroics of last season if Atletico are to advance anywhere near as far as last year. Antoine Griezmann should be drafted into the side to offer more nuance and will look to give them the edge in creativity given the absence of Juve’s Andrea Pirlo.
Madrid have managed to stabilise following that disappointing result in Greece, picking up two wins and a draw in their last three La Liga matches. Most impressively, they managed to beat a formidable Sevilla side 4-0 on the weekend, which bodes well as they take on the giants of Italian football. They will be hoping that Griezmann and Mandzukic can fit seamlessly into their tried-and-tested side, which boasts cohesion in the likes of Arda Turan and Juanfran. Perhaps the most significant news for Atletico – and something that no doubt lead to their dominant display at the weekend – is the return to the touchline of Diego Simeone following his six-match ban. He truly lives the game and seems to possess the uncanny ability to galvanise his side through gesticulation and tactical insight.
Juventus
Massimiliano Allegri’s side has their fair share of injury concerns to deal with, despite a perfect start in both European and domestic football. They, along with Barcelona, are yet to concede a goal in competitive football this season and will know that any result with a clean sheet here will be more than welcome. Barzagli will be missing from the backline while arch-playmaker Andrea Pirlo remains absent. Martin Caceres will also miss out while it is expected that midfield enforcer Arturo Vidal will be rested to give his long tormented knees further rest.
Carlos Tevez was magnificent in their opening day victory and will provide the foil for the muscular Spanish presence of Llorente. Lichtsteiner and Evra will be charged with making overlapping runs while the returning Pereyra should partner Pogba and Marchisio in a formidable midfield trio. They will look to absorb large amounts of pressure and hit Madrid on the counterattack. And while they do possess the players to hurt Atletico, I feel that Simeone’s return to the touchline should galvanise last year’s finalists towards victory here.
VERDICT: Atletico Madrid 11/10
This will be a tight game and should be decided by the odd goal. Juventus’ tactical mastery should see it kept to a low scoring affair, so if you remain undecided on a victor then perhaps the diplomatic under 2.5 goals approach at 11/20 seems most sensible. I believe that Atletico’s side looks more reinvigorated and will benefit tremendously from the return of taskmaster Simeone. I would be bold enough to call this a tight home win for the Spanish side at a valuable 11/10.
The man knows his football, but even he gets it wrong from time to time. Feel free to share your view below.
