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#2 Atletico Madrid produce a vintage display
Atletico arrived at the Wanda Metropolitano on the back of some patchy recent form. A Madrid Derby defeat was followed by a sketchy display against Rayo Vallecano at the weekend. Thus, many expected Juventus to get the better of Simeone’s men. Oh, how more wrong could they’ve been?
On Wednesday, Atletico turned back the clock and put up a prodigious display. Like the yesteryears, Los Rojiblancos scrapped for every loose ball against Juventus and trumped their rivals through sheer effort.
In midfield, the likes of Saul Niguez and Rodrigo barely allowed the Old Lady a moment’s peace. The defence too, was rock-solid and completely shut out Juventus’ much-vaunted attacking trio. Akin to similar performances over the years, they were rewarded for their dogged determination through set-plays.
Though it would be too harsh to call the Atletico victory a ‘smash and grab’, Simeone’s troops have made a living by keeping things tight at the back and nicking victories courtesy moments of brilliance.
And while Atletico’s displays may not make the average football fan jump out of his seat, not many of the Atletico faithful would particularly mind that as long as they keep winning.
