Malmo FF vs. Atletico Madrid: Key Issues and Decisions That Will Shape UCL Game

There's still plenty to play for in Group A at the midway stage in the Champions League group fixtures.

Only three points separate the four sides, while all the teams have both won and lost.

Home form has been the key, as no away team has won in the six fixtures to date, and only Atletico has scored as a visiting club.

Despite this it will still be an extremely difficult task for Malmo to beat both champions of Spain and Italy in the coming weeks.

Atleti are getting better by the game, and the five goals scored in the second half at the Vicente Calderon against the Swedish outfit will give them the belief that they can take all three points once more.

Atletico's Penetration with the Ball

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In all three of Malmo's games in Europe, the opposition has comfortably had more possession.

That hasn't particularly impacted on the result as they counter-attacked to a 2-0 win over Olympiakos on Matchday 2.

However, as the home team they would be advised to keep the ball better especially with Atletico now playing with a more expansive style.

Diego Simeone's men originally had to rely on set pieces to break down resolute defences, but they are now more creative against opposition that sits deep.

The pace of the wide men and the aerial abilities of the forwards mean that they are adaptable to different defensive styles.

Malmo should only be too aware of the variety of threat that Atleti pose, as they conceded five goals from five different scorers in Madrid.

Malmo's Left-Back Zone

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Atletico scored four of their five goals against Malmo from the right side of their attack.

Arda Turan and Juanfran combined well when going forward, as the two players made 30 passes between them, via FourFourTwo's Stats Zone.

Koke was utilised as a No. 10 and drifted into the wide area to make crosses into the box.

He assisted three of the goals, and his delivery from corners was also a threat, via FourFourTwo's Stats Zone.

It was a painful evening for Malmo's left-back Ricardinho, as he made only two of the six tackles he attempted and failed to win any of his aerial duels, via FourFourTwo's Stats Zone.

Set Pieces and Second Balls

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Los Rojiblancos have scored 13 goals from set pieces in La Liga and will obviously take advantage of any frailties if teams are disorganised, via WhoScored.com.

Koke and Gabi are both excellent at finding their teammates in these situations, while the heading capabilities are spread throughout the side.

The third reason that they are so prolific is that the team reacts so quickly to collect the second ball.

Even if the cross is cleared initially, Atleti often are positioned to receive the clearance and attempt an early shot.

Griezmann and Mandzukic as a Pairing

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The win over Cordoba was the first time that Antoine Griezmann and Mario Mandzukic had started together as a front two.

There has been times when Griezmann has played in the hole or as winger, with Mandzukic leading the line on his own.

The two players are yet to strike up an understanding between each other and don't make many passes to one another.

Although they do appear to possess characteristics that can work in tandem and can develop their relationship in time.

Simeone would perhaps benefit more from using the same 4-3-3 system that beat Malmo a fortnight ago.

That would mean the Frenchman moving out to the left wing and Mandzukic playing as a sole striker.