Malmo FF vs. Atletico Madrid: Lessons Learned from Champions League Game

Atletico Madrid became the first team in their group to win an away game, as they ran out 2-0 winners in Sweden.

Diego Simeone's team are the perfect away side in Europe, with their ability to soak up pressure and counter-attack at speed.

The 5-0 win at the Vicente Calderon was perhaps a little flattering for Atleti, and they knew Malmo are a strong test in their home stadium.

After losing on their last away day in Greece, it was important that Atletico's concentration was at its best.

Here are the lessons learned from the fourth matchday:

The Swedbank Stadion Has a Fantastic Atmosphere

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Roy Hodgson was in attendance at his old side, although it wasn't completely clear who he was watching.

The England manager will have left the ground with a feel-good factor as a neutral.

It may hold only 22,000, but Malmo's home stadium was vibrant.

There were empty seats in the stands; however, it didn't seem to matter, as those who were there made huge amounts of noise.

The fans sung from start to finish and created a platform that was fitting for the competition.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho took three players from Atletico Madrid in the summer, and if he was watching Tuesday night he would hope to recreate this atmosphere after he criticised his own supporters this week, via BBC.

Atletico Identify Opponents' Weaknesses

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Four of the five goals scored in the first meeting between the two teams came from Malmo's left-hand side.

The positioning of right-back Juanfran inside the opening 20 minutes showed that it was the team's intent to exploit this weakness once more, via FourFourTwo Stats Zone.

His opposing full-back, Anton Tinnerholm, was also much higher than his left-sided counterpart, although this had more to do with his long throw impression of Rory Delap.

It was no surprise that Juanfran slid the ball across for Koke to cleverly flick it into the net for the opening goal.

Malmo didn't seem quite as well prepared, as they conceded two corners and a free-kick inside the first five minutes.

The strength of Los Rojiblancos is well-known, and you would expect manager Age Hareide to instruct the players not to let this happen.

4-4-2 Is Simeone's Away Formation in the Champions League

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Simeone has been fairly flexible with his formation this season and has alternated between various systems.

The 4-4-2 remains his preferred setup, and this appears to be the case on the team's travels in Europe.

Atletico lined up that way in all of their away matches after the group stage last season, and they are continuing to do so this year.

It enables the team to defend with two lines of four when it is up against it and gives the opposition problems with two forwards high up the pitch.

The work rate of Raul Garcia as a striker is a useful component for Atleti.

He tracks back recovering the ball while simultaneously maintaining a goal threat, as he demonstrated with the second of the game, via FourFourTwo Stats Zone.

Markus Rosenberg Is a Decent Striker in a Forward 2

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The former West Brom forward started only six matches at the Hawthorns and was pushed out wide by manager Steve Clarke.

"I started one single game as a striker and came on a few times as a winger, which is not my position," explained Markus Rosenberg to The Guardian's Johanna Gara.

Alongside his partner, Isaac Kiese Thelin, he was a real handful for Atletico centre-backs Diego Godin and Miranda.

Rosenberg scored twice against Olympiakos and was unlucky not to add more to his tally here.

His attempted free-kick with his right foot was blocked, and as the return landed he volleyed it against the post with his left foot.