Why Griezmann and Mandzukic Can Make the Difference for Atletico vs. Leverkusen

Antoine Griezmann and Mario Mandzukic can be the difference-makers for Atletico Madrid when they travel to Germany to take on Bayer Leverkusen in the first leg of their Champions League round-of-16 tie on Wednesday.

It was Atletico’s in-form front two who were behind the three quick-fire goals that saw them comfortably overcome Almeria on Saturday.

Mandzukic opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 13th minute, before then providing the assists for a pair of sharp and precise finishes from Griezmann. Atletico were in cruise control from then on, leaving them in good stead ahead of the trip to Germany.

It was the latest strong performance from two players who have gradually formed one of the most potent strike partnerships in Europe. They have 26 league goals between them so far this season, while all five of Mandzukic’s league assists have set up Griezmann.

They also scored seven goals between them during the Champions League group stage.

And they have been particularly impressive since the turn of the year.

“They’re in excellent form and we have to take advantage of that,” Fernando Torres told Alberto R. Barbero of Marca prior to Wednesday’s match.

“They are both in a good streak of form and when they are on form, everyone benefits,” goalkeeper Miguel Angel Moya explained to Patricia Cazon of AS.

The pair will be particularly pivotal on Wednesday against an assertive Leverkusen side who press high up the pitch and barely give their opponents a moment to think.

Defender Omer Toprak—who will miss Wednesday’s match through suspension—recently described their philosophy to Philip Rober of UEFA.com.

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If you defend 10 or 15 metres in front of goal, the opposing forwards are closer to your goal. If we stay higher, there is more distance and you can defend very aggressively. There are so many players in the UEFA Champions League who can score a goal from nothing, so if we keep them away from our goal we concede fewer goals.

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While Atletico are a team who are comfortable defending deep, it is still vitally important to have a reliable out-ball or two—players capable of both relieving pressure on the defence and creating opportunities at the other end of the pitch—against teams who play in this manner.

That is where Mandzukic and Griezmann come into play.

Mandzukic is adept with his back to goal and can also provide good headed flick-ons into the path of incoming teammates. His strength in possession means that he is also capable of receiving the ball into the channels and holding off defenders until further support arrives.

Griezmann largely played out wide during his time at Real Sociedad and has admitted, as per Patricia Cazon of AS, that it took him a little time to adjust to the central role that Diego Simeone had earmarked for him at Atletico.

But six goals and one assist in his last six matches in all competitions, as per WhoScored.com, and 15 goals since the start of November suggest that his adaptation process is nearly complete.

“Now I’m comfortable in this role,” he told Cazon. “The boss gives me freedom to attack and this is great for my confidence.”

His rapid and well-timed runs in behind opposition defences, and ability to carry the ball forward on the dribble will be valuable weapons for Atletico on Wednesday.

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In unison, he and Mandzukic will be confident of creating the chances necessary to secure what would be a key away goal in what is likely to be an intriguing and well-balanced encounter between two teams who have impressed during this year’s competition to date.

Leverkusen have struggled domestically in recent times—winning just one of their five Bundesliga matches since the turn of the year—but, as per the statistical model of ESPN FC’s Michael Caley, they were the fifth best side during the Champions League group stage, behind only Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Real Madrid and Chelsea.

“To stop Bayer Leverkusen, opponents must employ a disciplined, tactical plan,” Caley wrote. “And players must be ready to fight for control of the match for a full 90 minutes.”

There are few teams in Europe better equipped to do just that than Atletico. And with that taken care of, they will look to Griezmann and Mandzukic to tip the tie in their favour.