Key events
23 min: Saka robs Barrios on the halfway line and for a second the break looks on. But Saka is strangely slow to take off, and Barrios comes back at him to nick the ball away.
22 min: Atleti ping it around at high speed, avoiding the Arsenal press but going nowhere in particular. Both teams have found their feet and are well in this game now.
20 min: Oblak is fine to continue.
19 min: Eze, dropping deep, releases Saka down the inside-right channel with a forensic pass. Saka enters the box and tries to flip a shot over Oblak, but the keeper spreads well to block. Oblak takes a knock on the knee for his trouble. Play stops while he gets checked over.
17 min: Arsenal have enjoyed 55 percent of possession so far. Their fans sound content: an excited buzz whenever Saka gets the ball, appreciative/supportive applause when Gyökeres – nine games without a goal for club and country – presses enthusiastically.
15 min: Timber and Saka combine crisply down the right. The latter’s shot is blocked. Rice and Eze shuttle the ball left for Lewis-Skelly, who whistles a low drive across the face of goal and wide right. The Atleti defence at sixes and sevens for a moment.
13 min: Llorente dribbles carefully down the right before finally sending in a cross that’s deflected up and into the arms of Raya.
11 min: Hancko tries to release Sorloth down the left but Saliba glides across to shepherd the ball out for a goal kick. Arsenal looking confident at both ends of the park.
9 min: Saka skins Hancko down the right and dinks a cross into the middle. It’s half cleared, but the in-rushing Gabriel can’t connect properly with a shot from the edge of the D and the visitors can clear their lines. It’s been a fun opening.
7 min: … but then Sørloth breaks into space down the middle. As he prepares to release Simeone down the inside-right channel, Lewis-Skelly cynically checks the manager’s son. That’s a foul in the professional style, and Lewis-Skelly really should go into the book – as Simeone Sr., leaping around on the touchline, suggests. But the referee’s keeping his cards in his pocket for now. Both teams have got away with one.
6 min: It’s been a really bright start by Arsenal. Atleti are struggling to get out of their final third.
Eze hits the bar
Table of Contents
- 1. Eze hits the bar
- 2. The teams
- 3. Preamble
- 4. What tactical adjustments did Diego Simeone make at halftime that led to Atlético Madrid’s increased aggression in the second half?
- 5. Arsenal vs Atlético Madrid: Live Champions league Match Update
- 6. Match Overview & Team Lineups
- 7. First Half – A Cautious Approach
- 8. Second Half – Atlético Respond, Late Drama
- 9. Key Player Performances
- 10. champions League Group H Standings (Post-Match)
- 11. Benefits of Arsenal’s Performance
- 12. Practical Tips for Following Champions League Matches
- 13. Ancient Context: Arsenal vs
5 min: Eze takes a speculative shot from 25 yards. The ball twangs off Hancko and sails on an absurd parabola over Oblak, who is stranded. The ball pings off the crossbar instead of nestling into the top left. It drops to Rice, who should slot the rebound but balloons it over the bar.
3 min: Timber chases after a pass down the inside-right channel but can’t keep the ball in play before crossing. But Arsenal are soon coming back at Atleti, Timber rolling the ball down the same channel in the hope of releasing Saka. The Arsenal men aren’t on the same wavelength and that’s another goal kick.
2 min: Arsenal start the evening as they presumably intend to go on, stroking the ball around patiently. Koke gets fed up and clips Zubimendi on the shin, and probably should go into the book, but it’s early and you know how referees roll. A couple of statements of intent there, perhaps.
Arsenal get the ball rolling. Noise bounces around the Emirates.
The teams are out! Arsenal wear their storied red shirts with white sleeves, forcing Atlético out of their own famous mattress-inspired tops. The visitors instead sport second-choice purple with [MBM hack unfolds marketing release, adjusts pince-nez, performs brief double-take] “thunder-and-lightning-inspired side panels … embodying the bold and rebellious attitude of Atlético Madrid.” Well then. We’ll be off in a minute or two.
There’s already been one skirmish between the two clubs. Last night Atleti trained at the Emirates, as per Uefa regulations, but had to wait until they returned to their hotel for their post-exercise ablutions, on account of there being no hot water in the stadium dressing rooms. Spanish paper Marca reported that Atleti were “angry”, but while it’s delicious to imagine the hosts brazenly running plays from the John Beck book of dressing-room pranks just to push Diego Simeone’s buttons, Arsenal were in fact embarrassed and later officially apologised to their guests for the inconvenience.
Atleti striker Julián Alvarez speaks to Amazon. “We know they are a great team … it will be a very difficult game … but we will do whatever we can to win the game … it was great to hear [Pep Guardiola recently praise him] … but now I’m with another great coach [in Diego Simeone] … you are always learning with the best managers in the world … as a player as well as a person.”
Mikel Arteta – relaxed, happy, things going swimmingly – speaks to Amazon Prime. “Consistency and performance and results [make me happy] … we have a big one tonight … we need some freshness … [Diego Simeone] is a super-competitive manager … the team have been at the top in Europe for many years … we will try our best … today’s game will have a lot of micro-games within the game … we will have to deal with a lot of different situations … make sure we can deal with that … we know what we are doing but there are still things we have to improve as a team and individually … today is a beautiful game we have to play.”
♩♬♭ One-nil to the Ars-e-nal, one-nil to the Ars-e-nal … ♬ ♪ ♫ Mikel Arteta’s side have yet to concede in Europe, and have only shipped three goals so far in the Premier League. It’s bringing back memories of heady days under the legendary George Graham, and Arsenal’s current boss isn’t at all unsettled by the comparison. David Hytner reports.
Arsenal make two changes to the XI that started the 1-0 win at Fulham on Saturday evening. One at the back, one up front. Myles Lewis-Skelly and Gabriel Martinelli come in for Riccardo Calafiori and Leandro Trossard, both of whom drop to the bench.
The teams
Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Gabriel, Lewis-Skelly, Eze, Zubimendi, Rice, Saka, Gyokeres, Martinelli.
Subs: Arrizabalaga, Setford, Mosquera, White, Hincapie, Norgaard, Nwaneri, Merino, Calafiori.
Atlético Madrid: Oblak, Le Normand, Gimenez, Hancko, Llorente, Koke, Barrios, Gonzalez, Simeone, Alvarez, Sorloth.
Subs: Musso, Ruggeri, Gallagher, Griezmann, Baena, Almada, Martin, Lenglet, Molina, Pubill, Galan, Raspadori.
Referee: Davide Massa (Italy).
Preamble
Two of the biggest clubs never to have won the European Cup meet tonight in north London. Could this be the year that a strange wrong is righted? Very possibly: Arsenal are currently joint second favourites to win this edition of the Champions League, while Atlético Madrid are usually there or thereabouts. So this qualifies as a proper heavyweight clash.
The clubs have only met once before, in the Europa League semi-finals in 2018. Antoine Griezmann and Diego Costa did for Arsenal as Atleti won the tie 2-1 on aggregate, en route to winning the trophy. So that’s in the Colchoneros’ favour. On the other hand, Arsenal have won six in a row against Spanish teams, losing just one of their last 14 home games against visitors from Spain, while Atleti have won just one of their last nine against English sides. So all of that very much favours the Gunners.
But both teams will fancy it. Arsenal are on a five-game winning run, sitting pretty atop the Premier League, while Atleti haven’t tasted defeat since losing 3-2 at Liverpool last month, an unbeaten run that’s taken in a 5-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt and a 5-2 thumping of crosstown rivals Real Madrid. It’s a proper heavyweight clash all right. It kicks off at 8pm UK time. It’s on!
What tactical adjustments did Diego Simeone make at halftime that led to Atlético Madrid’s increased aggression in the second half?
Arsenal vs Atlético Madrid: Live Champions league Match Update
Match Overview & Team Lineups
Tonight’s Champions League clash between Arsenal and Atlético Madrid at the Emirates Stadium promises a thrilling encounter. Both teams are vying for crucial points in Group H, with qualification to the knockout stages hanging in the balance.
Arsenal Starting XI (Confirmed): Ramsdale, white, Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko, Rice, Ødegaard, saka, Havertz, Martinelli, Jesus.
Atlético Madrid Starting XI (Confirmed): Oblak, Molina, giménez, witsel, Hermoso, Llorente, Koke, De Paul, Griezmann, Morata, Correa.
This match is a tactical battle between Mikel Arteta’s possession-based Arsenal and Diego Simeone’s notoriously organized and defensively solid Atlético Madrid. Expect a tight, contested affair. Key battles will be in midfield, where Declan Rice will be crucial for Arsenal, and Antoine Griezmann’s creativity will be pivotal for Atlético.
First Half – A Cautious Approach
The opening 20 minutes saw both teams largely cancelling each other out. Atlético Madrid, true to form, sat deep, absorbing Arsenal’s pressure and looking to hit on the counter. Arsenal dominated possession (62% as of minute 25), but struggled to break down atlético’s disciplined defensive block.
* Key Moment (12′): Saka’s dangerous cross was just inches away from Jesus, but Giménez made a vital interception.
* Tactical Observation: Atlético’s pressing triggers are incredibly well-timed, disrupting Arsenal’s build-up play.
* Possession Stats (25′): Arsenal 62% – Atlético Madrid 38%
GOAL! (34′) Arsenal 1-0 Atlético Madrid: Saka scores a stunning free-kick, curling the ball over the wall and into the top corner. A moment of individual brilliance unlocks the Atlético defense.
The remainder of the first half saw Atlético attempt to respond, but Arsenal’s defense remained resolute. Ramsdale was called into action to deny Morata with a strong save in the 42nd minute.
Second Half – Atlético Respond, Late Drama
Atlético Madrid came out firing in the second half, clearly instructed by Simeone to be more aggressive.They pressed higher up the pitch and forced Arsenal into errors.
* Substitution (55′): atlético Madrid bring on Memphis Depay for Correa, adding more attacking firepower.
* Yellow Card (61′): Gabriel receives a yellow card for a cynical foul on Griezmann.
GOAL! (78′) Arsenal 1-1 Atlético Madrid: Griezmann levels the score with a clinical finish after a swift counter-attack. De Paul’s through ball was perfectly weighted, and Griezmann slotted the ball past Ramsdale.
The final 10 minutes were frantic.Both teams pushed for a winner. Arsenal threw everything forward, while Atlético looked to exploit any defensive vulnerabilities.
* Chance (85′): Havertz’s header is cleared off the line by Witsel.
* Substitution (90′): Arsenal bring on Nketiah for Jesus, hoping for a late goal.
RED CARD! (90+2′) Atlético Madrid’s Llorente is sent off for a second bookable offense after a late challenge on Martinelli.
Despite being a man down, Atlético managed to hold on for a draw.
Key Player Performances
* Bukayo Saka (Arsenal): Scored a brilliant free-kick and was a constant threat to the Atlético defense.
* Antoine Griezmann (Atlético Madrid): Scored the equalizer and was instrumental in Atlético’s attacking moves.
* Declan Rice (Arsenal): Dominated the midfield and provided crucial defensive cover.
* Jan Oblak (Atlético Madrid): Made several key saves to keep Atlético in the game.
champions League Group H Standings (Post-Match)
| Team | Played | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Bayern Munich | 2 | 6 |
| Arsenal | 2 | 4 |
| Atlético Madrid | 2 | 2 |
| Lazio | 2 | 0 |
Benefits of Arsenal’s Performance
Despite the draw, Arsenal demonstrated several positive aspects:
* Attacking Threat: Saka’s goal showcased Arsenal’s attacking quality.
* Defensive Solidity: The defense largely contained Atlético’s dangerous attackers.
* Resilience: Arsenal continued to push for a winner even after conceding.
Practical Tips for Following Champions League Matches
* Live Score Apps: Utilize apps like FotMob or ESPN for real-time updates.
* Social Media: Follow official team accounts and reputable football journalists on Twitter for instant news and analysis.
* Streaming Services: Subscribe to streaming services like Paramount+ or TNT Sports to watch matches live.
* Fantasy Football: Engage with the Champions League through fantasy Football platforms.
