Atletico Madrid vs. Benfica: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info
The second round of fixtures in the UEFA Champions League group stage presents a few sides with an opportunity to really put themselves at ease with a second successive win. Such a win would put them well on their way to achieving the usual points tally required to make the knockout rounds.
Defeat, however—especially to a rival for one of the two qualification spots—can begin to sow doubt, making the doubleheader of Games 3 and 4 much more pressure-filled. That's the scenario Atletico Madrid and Benfica face as they prepare to do battle in Spain on Wednesday.
Much of the talk surrounding the Spanish side over the past few days has centred on the perceived underperformance of their strikers, with Atleti shelling out over €50 million on attacking reinforcements in the summer. Jackson Martinez and Luciano Vietto have both struggled to make an impact in La Liga this season.
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For manager Diego Simeone, it's not much of a worry, especially in the case of Martinez, who is likely to be asked to face a team he has enjoyed success against in the past.
According to Yahoo Sports, the boss said: "[Martinez] is a very important player for us, and he knows that he still has to grow a lot. Jackson will appear in the important and decisive moments."
Midfielder Tiago Mendes had words of encouragement for his new team-mate, too, per SuperSport.com, though he admitted the side still had work to do to reach their best level:
"Jackson is learning how to play in our system, which isn't easy for forwards. For us the strikers aren't just about goals. All the work they do is very important. It is very different to what he did at Porto. Therefore, we need to be patient because he is going to help us a lot. The philosophy hasn't changed because we know what has allowed us to win things. The players have different characteristics, and you have to look for the best in each player and overall for the team.
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While Martinez struggles for success in front of goal, Atleti could do with the midfield line pitching in too. With forwards Antoine Griezmann and Fernando Torres accounting for most of the strikes by the team this term, injured midfielder Koke is the only non-attacker to have found the back of the net so far.
In contrast, Goncalo Guedes—an 18-year-old wide midfielder for Benfica—scored his first goal of the season at the weekend. He spoke with his club's website on the occasion (h/t FourFourTwo): "I'm very proud and very happy but the most important is that the team came out victorious and played well. We do not think about other teams, only about us, about our work and an obligation to improve every day."
Atletico, as the home side, will be hoping that they can create more clear chances for their front men to enjoy success in the Champions League this week. They'll want to do so without giving up ground at the other end for Benfica to take advantage and take home a positive result.
If they can manage that, then six points from six and back-to-back games against Astana to come should ensure Simeone's men find straightforward passage to the latter stages of Europe once more.
Date: Wednesday, September 30
Time: 7:45 p.m. GMT (2:45 p.m. ET)
Venue: Vicente Calderon, Madrid
TV Info: BT Sport Extra 3 (UK), ESPN3 (USA)
Live Stream: BT Sport Extra (UK), Fox Soccer 2Go (USA)
The Teams
Atleti have started the season reasonably well, though they suffered a 1-0 loss to Villarreal in La Liga on Saturday—their second defeat in their first six matches. In the Champions League, they dispatched of Galatasaray by a 2-0 scoreline in their first match.
Despite the weekend setback, Atletico will remain confident of success thanks to their excellent overall defensive record, especially at home.
"Last time Atletico Madrid conceded (competitive) goal at home to player not called Neymar/Messi was March 8, Shkodran Mustafi (1-1 vs VAL).
— Karl Matchett (@karlmatchett) September 29, 2015"
Benfica have an identical record to Atleti so far. They have played six, won four and lost two in the Primeira Liga. They also won 2-0 in their first Champions League match, at home to Astana of Kazakhstan.
A final interesting subplot to note is the presence of two Atletico Madrid players on loan at Benfica: defender Silvio and centre-forward Raul Jimenez. Both have been substitutes for Benfica in recent matches, and Atleti would be right to be wary about Jimenez—particularly as another out-on-loan forward, Leo Baptistao, scored the winner against Atleti at the weekend for Villarreal.
Team News
Atletico have no real injury worries to speak of, with only midfielder Koke sidelined with a hamstring injury. Thomas (on the bench at the weekend) and Jesus Gamez (played right-back) have not travelled, according to the club's Twitter feed.
"Squad list (1/2): Moyá, Oblak, Godín, Filipe, Siqueira, Savic, Juanfran, Giménez, Tiago, Óliver, Gabi... #AtletiBenfica #UCL
— Atleti English (@atletienglish) September 29, 2015"
"Squad list (2/2): Saúl, Carrasco, Griezmann, Fernando Torres, Jackson, Correa and Vietto #AtletiBenfica #UCL
— Atleti English (@atletienglish) September 29, 2015"
Simeone has rotated parts of his first XI over the last few weeks, but the big changes continue to be in attack—especially at half-time and early in the second 45 when things aren't going his team's way. Griezmann will start in attack, but it's anyone's guess who he'll partner with or if he'll start from the flank as he did in the first Champions League match.
Benfica have fielded a settled side in the past few games, with Brazilian midfielder Talisca the notable entrant in the XI for the opening Champions League fixture against Astana. That was at home, though, and Andre Almeida has played since then. He's a more dependable defensive presence, which will likely be Rui Vitoria's preference playing away against the group's strongest side.
Eduardo Salvio is Benfica's only notable absentee. He suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in last season's final match and is not expected to make a return until well into the new year.
"22 called-up to take on @Atleti: http://t.co/aJQEEuhLQY || 22 convocados para Madrid: http://t.co/HHsdwrCnNE #UCL pic.twitter.com/6f1wBOmEsC
— Sport Lisboa Benfica (@SL_Benfica) September 29, 2015"
Possible Starting Lineups
Atletico Madrid (4-4-2): Jan Oblak; Juanfran, Jose Gimenez, Diego Godin, Filipe Luis; Oliver Torres, Saul Niguez, Tiago Mendes, Yannick Carrasco; Antoine Griezmann, Fernando Torres
Benfica (4-4-2): Julio Cesar; Nelsinho, Luisao, Jardel, Eliseu; Goncalo Guedes, Andreas Samaris, Andre Almeida, Nicolas Gaitan; Konstantinos Mitroglou, Jonas
Players to Watch
Atletico Madrid: Saul Niguez
Saul started from the channels against Villarreal at the weekend, but he was moved to a central role for the second half and excelled in both halves of the pitch. He was positive in possession and moved forward well with the ball at his feet, but he also tracked back with great aggression and pace.
With Koke out and Gabi stuttering in some matches, it's an opportunity for Saul to begin to nail down a more regular place in this Atletico side.
Benfica: Nicolas Gaitan
The Argentinian has been in great form for Benfica this season, and he will be both a focal point for the team as an initial outlet from defensive play as well as a strong creative force. That is, if he can come infield from the flank more than he managed against Porto.
He already has five assists in the Primeira Liga this term and scored in Benfica's opening Champions League fixture against Astana.
Prediction: Atletico Madrid 2-0 Benfica
[Thanks to @FootyML for Benfica insight.]
