Manchester United are enduring a season to forget but the troubles at Old Trafford are replicated at their Champions League opponents in the Round of 16.
Atletico Madrid lie in wait for Ralf Rangnick’s side in the knockout stages of Europe’s premier club competition with the match perhaps a final chance to salvage the season for either team.
United may lie in seventh in the Premier League standings compared to Atleti’s fourth spot in La Liga, but the Red Devils have a higher points per game tally this campaign.
Furthermore, the past week has seen Diego Simeone’s side exit both the Spanish Supercopa and Copa del Rey with defeats to Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad respectively.
Out of all domestic trophies and out of the title race – a whopping 16 points behind league leaders Real Madrid – the Champions League is Atleti’s final chance of salvation this campaign.
Los Rojiblancos stumbled through their group stage campaign and have struggled for form all season.
Here is how United can exploit their opponent’s weaknesses to reach the quarter final stage of the competition.
Play a high defensive line
A key part of Ralf Rangnick’s change at United has been to encourage his defenders to push up the pitch and play a higher defensive line.
This tactic allows United to close the gaps between their players and gain greater territorial control, although there had been concerns on Harry Maguire’s pace – although the club captain may be left out in favour of Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof.
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Atletico Madrid have a lack of pace in attack; Luis Suarez is aged 34 and off the pace at the top level while other key forwards Antoine Griezmann and Joao Felix are not known for their pace.
United must take the initiative in this tie and their defenders having the confidence to push up the pitch is crucial to that.
Isolate Luis Suarez
The former Liverpool striker fired Atleti to last season’s league title with 21 goals after joining from La Liga rivals Barcelona.
The striker no longer has the pace or explosiveness that marked his earlier career and his lack of intensity has cost his side’s in Europe for years.
He has just one goal in 12 Champions League appearances for Atleti and has not bagged an away goal in the knockout stages of the competition since 2015.
Suarez has scored just one goal in his last 14 matches in all competitions – against third tier Rayo Majadahonda in the Copa del Rey.
Match aggression but maintain discipline
Under Diego Simeone, Atletico Madrid have towed the fine line between aggression and ill-discipline.
They engage in the ‘dark arts’, attempting to ‘tough up’ opponents with underhand tactics and irritate opponents with playacting and exaggerating.
Atleti combine this with an intensity in their game of being in opponents facing, moving across the pitch as a unit and making things difficult.
Their victory at Porto in the group stage descended into chaos with red cards and brawls because of this – allowing Atleti to run out victors in that game to clinch their progress to the knockouts.
United must learn from this – not to engage in these antics but to prepare themselves for a physical tie.
Exploit defensive vulnerabilities
Simeone’s Atletico used to be famed for their defensive solidity and being able to shut out the most fearsome attacks in Europe.
This is no longer the case; the team has shipped 24 goals in 20 league matches this season – nine other La Liga sides have better defensive records, including 17 th -placed Getafe.
They have conceded two goals or more in six of their last eight games across all competitions with defenders out of form both collectively and individually.
Focus on set pieces
Manchester United have taken over 100 corners in the Premier League this season but have yet to score a goal.
They may be afforded more joy against Atletico, who are suffering from their poor defending at set pieces and sloppy errors at the back, as opponents take advantage of their defensive frailties.
The former strength of Simeone’s side is now a key weakness, with a decrease of aerial dominance, aggression and structure in their set piece defending.
