Champions League: Atletico aims to overturn Real deficit

Tensions are likely to run high on Wednesday when Atletico Madrid looks to overturn a 0-3 deficit at home to Real Madrid in the second leg of its Champions League semifinal. 

Published : May 10, 2017 01:58 IST , Madrid

The good news for Atletico is that right back Juanfran Torres will be available after injury giving the side some balance it was missing in the Bernabeu.
The good news for Atletico is that right back Juanfran Torres will be available after injury giving the side some balance it was missing in the Bernabeu.
lightbox-info

The good news for Atletico is that right back Juanfran Torres will be available after injury giving the side some balance it was missing in the Bernabeu.

Tensions are likely to run high on Wednesday when Atletico Madrid looks to overturn a 0-3 deficit at home to Real Madrid in the second leg of its Champions League semifinal. 

Last Tuesday saw Real Madrid produce a convincing display and Cristiano Ronaldo score a hat-trick against an Atletico side that was almost unrecognisable to the team that is usually so hard to beat.

Zidane promises full-throttle Madrid approach

Atletico was slack in defence, ineffective in attack and misplaced passes in the middle of the field as Real went a long way towards booking a place in the final which will be held in Cardiff. 

Preparations for the game were rocked on Monday by the news that French left back Theo Hernandez, who is on loan at Alaves from Atletico, travelled to Madrid to undergo a medical with Real Madrid.

'Real Madrid squad one of most complete ever'

Real is willing to pay Hernandez's buyout clause, unilaterally breaking a pact it had with Atletico that the two clubs would not poach each other's players. 

That act of bad faith means Real Madrid can expect an even worse reception that the one it would have received in what is the last European game to be played in the Vicente Calderon Stadium. 

The good news for Atletico is that right back Juanfran Torres will be available after injury giving the side some balance it was missing in the Bernabeu where Lucas Hernandez (Theo's brother) was forced to play on the right. 

Meanwhile Kevin Gameiro and Antoine Griezmann will look to provide the spark in attack that was missing a week ago. 

Real Madrid is still without Gareth Bale and Dani Carvajal, who pulled a hamstring in the first leg, but Rafael Varene is available and will partner Sergio Ramos in central defence, while Nacho will probably cover at right back. 

Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema will lead the attack with Isco again filling in for Bale as Real Madrid look for an away goal that would leave Atletico needing five to qualify and all but assure its place in Cardiff next month. 

More on UEFA Champions League

  1. Vinicius Junior will be missed if racism is allowed to drive him out, says Real Madrid’s Bellingham
  2. Borussia Dortmund vs Atletico Madrid LIVE score, UCL 2023-24 QF second leg: DOR 4-2 ATM (5-4); Sabitzer puts Dortmund ahead in the tie
  3. Barcelona vs PSG LIVE score, UCL 2023-24 QF second leg: BAR 1-4 PSG (4-6); Mbappe puts PSG in the lead; Araujo, Xavi shown red
  4. Barcelona vs PSG: Looking back at the iconic Champions League clash where Messi and Co. pulled off ‘La Remontada’
  5. Barcelona vs PSG LIVE streaming info, UCL 2023-24 QF second leg: When, where to watch; Predicted lineups; Head-to-head
READ MORE STORIES

Latest on Sportstar

  1. Barcelona vs PSG LIVE score, UCL 2023-24 QF second leg: BAR 1-4 PSG (4-6); Mbappe puts PSG in the lead; Araujo, Xavi shown red
  2. IPL 2024: Rajasthan Royals aces record run-chase to beat Kolkata Knight Riders by two wickets
  3. Borussia Dortmund vs Atletico Madrid LIVE score, UCL 2023-24 QF second leg: DOR 4-2 ATM (5-4); Sabitzer puts Dortmund ahead in the tie
  4. IPL 2024, KKR vs RR: Buttler’s century trumps Narine’s 109 as Rajasthan Royals beats Kolkata Knight Riders by two wickets
  5. KKR vs RR Highlights, IPL 2024: RR 224/8; Buttler century helps RR complete highest successful run chase in IPL
READ MORE STORIES
Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment