Atletico Madrid vs. Astana: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream, TV Info
Fernando Torres is a legend and an icon at Atletico Madrid and would have remained so for all time even if he hadn't returned to the club last year—but having done so, he has wasted little time in proving himself still capable of contributing in a big way.
Goals against Real Madrid and Barcelona last term showed his goal touch hadn't disappeared entirely while at Chelsea and AC Milan, and this season, he has been relied upon by manager Diego Simeone despite Atleti forking out more than €60 million (£43.9 million) on new attacking signings over the summer.
The No. 9 is just one shy of treble figures in goals for the club of his youth and has already found the net twice this term—though he is yet to really have an opportunity to make a mark in Europe.
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"Fernando @Torres is on 99 @atletienglish goals. Will he make it a century this weekend? #UCL pic.twitter.com/FpOPgnsV5m
— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) October 2, 2015"
Two substitute appearances in the Champions League so far have yielded only 43 minutes of game time for Torres, but his impact off the bench at the weekend against Real Sociedad might sway Simeone into pushing the blond-haired one into the starting XI as Atleti host Astana on Wednesday.
An outlet on the counter, some fantastic dribbling and great vision to claim an assist for the goal which sealed the 2-0 win all showcased Torres' abilities.
Speaking to UEFA.com, Torres acknowledged that Atletico cannot afford a slip-up against Astana:
"We want to finish first in our group, because you have more advantages, or let's say fewer disadvantages, in the next round...we need six points in our next two matches. That's clear, and then we will play again against Benfica and Galatasaray to determine first spot. On paper we are the favourites, but not really knowing them can be a real danger. In such matches we have to focus on ourselves, play our game, keep the concentration that you need in Champions League matches, and approach it with the determination to win.
...
We won in Turkey, but it wasn't our plan to lose here at home against Benfica. So we need the points even more in the upcoming matches but we are confident that we will make it into the next round, which is our short-term objective.
"
His link play and ability inside the penalty box could well be what pushes Simeone into selecting Torres over Jackson Martinez, who continues to misfire. The Colombian only once came close to scoring at the weekend—but at the wrong end, as he headed the ball out of his own goalkeeper's grasp and wide of the post. Beyond that, Martinez was lethargic and lacking in a first touch.
Torres has already displayed a good understanding with Angel Correa, while Antoine Griezmann offers the pace and running that the former Chelsea and Liverpool man knows perfectly well how to take advantage of.
In a must-win environment, Atletico and Simeone inevitably turn to those of sound mental state just as much as technical ability; Torres, in that regard, is streets ahead of Martinez right now, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him clock up the 100 goals for Atleti with his first ever in the Champions League for the club.
Date: Wednesday, October 21
Time: 7:45 p.m. GMT/2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Vicente Calderon, Madrid
TV Info: BT Sport Extra 4 (UK), ESPN Deportes+, ESPN3 (USA)
Live Stream: BT Sport Extra (UK), Fox Soccer 2Go (USA)
The Teams
Atletico Madrid have made a reasonable start to the season, losing one key match in both La Liga and Champions League but picking up positive results elsewhere. After a 2-0 win against Real Sociedad at the weekend, they sit in fourth place in Spain's top flight, two points off the lead.
In the Champions League, Atleti beat Galatasaray away from home in the first match week—but lost at home to Benfica last time out.
They will certainly be hoping to pick up enough points across the double header with Astana to put themselves in a comfortable position heading into the last two fixtures.
Astana sit second in the Championship group—the league splits in two for the latter stages—in Kazakhstan's Premier League, five points off the leaders with a game in hand. They won 2-1 at the weekend, a second win in succession since their last foray into the Champions League group.
A defeat at Benfica wasn't unexpected for Astana, but they secured a first-ever point by pegging back Galatasaray late on last time, taking a 2-2 draw.
"All the #UCL group standings after matchday two... pic.twitter.com/68eageGyNx
— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) October 3, 2015"
Team News
Atletico Madrid are without injured forward Luciano Vietto, but midfielder Koke returned to action at the weekend after a hamstring injury.
Koke was an instrumental part of Atleti's win over Real Sociedad, but his manager is unlikely to take risks with his fitness, considering they face Valencia at the weekend.
". @Simeone, about @Koke6: "He did an important job; we're happy because he finished well." #GoAtleti pic.twitter.com/43REaCpO99
— Atleti English (@atletienglish) October 18, 2015"
No injuries were suffered during the game so Simeone should have a reasonably full squad to choose from, with all the players featuring at Anoeta involved in recovery training on Monday.
". @Simeone, about @Koke6: "He did an important job; we're happy because he finished well." #GoAtleti pic.twitter.com/43REaCpO99
— Atleti English (@atletienglish) October 18, 2015"
As for Astana, they will remain without forward Patrick Twumasi. The 21-year-old Ghanaian was sent off in the qualifying rounds and handed a six-match suspension, which he is still serving.
The rest of their squad should be available, with manager Stanimir Stoilov making a number of changes to his regular XI at the weekend, including leaving goalkeeper Nenad Eric, centre-back Evgeni Postnikov and attackers Foxi Kethevoama and Junior Kabananga on the bench.
Possible Starting Lineups
Atletico Madrid (4-4-2): Jan Oblak; Juanfran, Stefan Savic, Diego Godin, Guilherme Siqueira; Angel Correa, Saul, Tiago, Yannick Carrasco; Antoine Griezmann, Fernando Torres.
Astana (4-1-4-1): Nenad Eric; Branko Ilic, Evgeni Postnikov, Marin Anicic, Dmitri Shomko; Roger Canas; Bauyrzhan Dzholchiyev, Georgi Zhukov, Nemanja Maksimovic, Foxi Kethevoama; Junior Kabananga.
Player to Watch: Angel Correa, Atletico
Quickly developing as one of Atletico's must-play attackers, Correa has proven a massive problem for teams to deal with on account of his robust style, his quick feet in possession and his willingness to close down, make challenges...and get shots away at every opportunity.
Whether playing wide or through the middle of the attack, he's a great outlet for the team and quickly joins up play with his forward team-mates, swapping passes and looking to dribble to create space for himself and others.
Correa is already off the mark in Europe this season, and he'll be tough for Astana to deal with if their attentions are more firmly fixed on containing Griezmann.
Prediction: Atletico 2-0 Astana
