UEFA Champions League: Atletico Madrid 2-3 Liverpool Post Match Reactions and tactical analysis
The laziness of so many observers and pundits regarding Atlético Madrid is incredible. There’s far more to Diego Simeone’s team than work rate and dark arts – they’re an intelligent, functional team that has a large dose of quality to compliment their foundational competencies. They [pundits and some fans] have this preconceived notion that Atletico Madrid only exemplify a boring defensive football.
Liverpool Made things difficult for themselves against Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid’s Rodrigo de Paul Line-Breaking passes pose Liverpool trouble
Diego Simeone’s 5:3:2 Tactics worked, didn’t it?
Liverpool’s goals were two long shots (one deflection) – not high quality chances, but more so created from nothing moments. Incredible finish from Keita though, individually brilliant – but the Diego Simeone 5:3:2 (best shape to block space) really worked.
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Liverpool’s move to attacking 8’s has them more potent in attack but in the long term I think it gives teams who sit and counter a greater chance to nab results, especially if Salah’s form is not sustained. Their ‘hoofball’ era was weaker in attack but imperious in defence.

Virgil Van Dijk Criticisms?
I have this theory that Virgil Van Dijk defensive strengths are rooted in playing as a LCB. People think that LCB and RCB are interchangeable but they’re quite different. Split the pitch vertically. When VVD crosses to the RHS, he’s weaker – because of the angles he has to defend at.
When you think about some of the memorable moments Virgil Van Dijk has struggled in the past, you see the pattern. Sane/Messi has seemed to get the better of Virgil Van Dijk often. The Suárez goal. Griezmann’s yesterday. Martial’s goal. And why he’s looked weaker recently too.
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Diego Simeone Criticisms?
In before a lazy British pundit complains: Diego Simeone runs down the tunnel on the final whistle of almost every la liga game (If u actually watch the league). It’s not a lack of respect for Klopp or being a sore loser
He says he prefers to seek them out post-match, not in the heat of the moment on the touchline. I wouldn’t do it that way if it were me and wouldn’t be too happy if he did it to me as an opposition coach, but it’s not part of an issue he has with Klopp specifically.
Conclusion:
A very impressive win for Liverpool. There aren’t many more difficult games than Atletico Madrid away with the Metropolitano full and rocking. The reds weren’t great. It would be very difficult to assert yourself on this game. They were resilient and ruthless. They did enough.
They’re averaging 3 goals per game over 12 games this season. They’ve missed and/or rotated Thiago, Henderson, Jota, Fabinho, Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Robertson, Minamino, Konaté, Keita, Milner, Elliott, Jones, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Tsimikas, Gomez and Firmino. This is the power of strength in depth
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