Champions League Fixtures 2015: Preview, Predictions for Last Leg 1 Matches
Following the conclusion of Tuesday's Round of 16 first-leg matches, just two more contests are left to be played on Wednesday. Last year's finalists Atletico Madrid visit struggling Bayer Leverkusen, while Arsenal host Ligue 1 side AS Monaco.
On paper, both ties look fairly straight-forward, as injuries and poor form have plagued Monaco and Leverkusen in recent weeks. Everything is possible in the Champions League, however, as Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger alluded to in his post-match press conference:
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Here's what the schedule for the final day of action looks like, including full live stream info:
| Wednesday, Feb. 25 | 7.45 p.m. | Arsenal | Monaco | Sky Go (UK)/Fox Soccer 2Go (US) |
| Wednesday, Feb. 25 | 7.45 p.m. | Bayer | Atletico | Sky Go (UK)/Fox Soccer 2Go (US) |
Arsenal v Monaco
After a rough start to the season, manager Leonardo Jardim has guided Monaco back to the elite ranks of French football with his philosophy of hard, defensive work and incisive counter-attacking football.
Les Rouges et Blancs were among the lowest-scoring teams in the group stages but conceded just a single goal, evidence of their defensive proficiency. Unfortunately, as shared by Goal's Robin Bairner, a recent wave of injuries could be too much to overcome:
Jeremy Toulalan, Monaco's 31-year-old central midfielder, plays a pivotal role in front of the back four for Jardim. The Frenchman won't be playing at the Emirates due to suspension, and his loss simply can't be understated.
Arsenal have some injury concerns of their own—Jack Wilshere won't play against Monaco, per ITV Football—but are far more healthy than their French opponents, and their form has been exquisite in recent weeks.
Mesut Ozil has finally regained his form and is doing a fantastic job pulling the strings from midfield, while Wenger's bevy of talented forwards and wingers are finally clicking on all levels.
The Gunners have tried their very best to divide the pressure equally, but Monaco's Dimitar Berbatov made it very clear the hosts will be the favourites, per the club's official Twitter feed:
Given Arsenal's form and Monaco's many absentees, it's difficult to argue with that assessment. Don't expect a walk in the park for the Gunners, but do expect an easy win.
Prediction: Arsenal 2-0 Monaco
Bayer Leverkusen v Atletico Madrid
If Monaco's perceived struggles are more of a projection based on their absentees, Leverkusen's problems heading into their match against the La Liga champions are already quite real.
The Germans have won just one of their last five Bundesliga matches, losing two in the process. Morale is low, and hosting last year's finalists, Bayer are as low on momentum as can be. DW Sports' Ross Dunbar doesn't like the team's chances:
Anything can happen over the course of two matches, however. Atletico Madrid weren't supposed to be embarrassed by Celta Vigo two weeks ago, and yet that's exactly what happened.
The Atleti were fresh off a big win against eternal rivals Real Madrid and should have cruised to an easy win against the Galicians. Instead, Vigo handed them a 2-0 loss and all but ended their chances to defend their La Liga title.
Celta did something few teams are willing to do—attack the Atleti early, and put pressure on the back four. As shared by this Atletico fan account, the Galicians dominated possession against Diego Simeone's men:
A similar tactic should be employed by Bayer. So many clubs play Atletico with too much respect for their vaunted defence and decide instead to hand the ball to the La Liga champions and aim for the counter-attack. With Mario Mandzukic and Antoine Griezmann in the form of their lives, that's suicide.
Atleti are no longer used to high press, having evolved into a giant of European football the past two years. Bayer can choose to defend in numbers and hope for the best, but given their lack of form, the Germans have little left to lose. Might as well learn from Celta Vigo and hit the Atleti where it hurts.
Prediction: Bayer Leverkusen 1-1 Atletico Madrid
