Atletico Madrid vs. Galatasaray: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Stream, TV Info
Atletico Madrid head into their final home Champions League match in Group C on Wednesday night, knowing they need only avoid defeat to seal progression in the competition once again. They'll be facing a Galatasaray side out of sorts and without a real leader at the helm, after the Turkish team sacked manager Hamza Hamzaoglu last week.
Galatasaray have announced they are to appoint Mustafa Denizli as his replacement, but the Daily Mail reports he will not travel to Madrid for the pivotal Champions League clash, instead beginning his work afterward.
"Official talks underway with Mustafa Denizli to become the new head coach at Galatasaray: https://t.co/79zs0ERKfF pic.twitter.com/oXnclV5c77
— Galatasaray EN (@Galatasaray) November 23, 2015"
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"Mustafa Denizli: Once I start my job here I'll begin gathering relevant information about the team.
— Galatasaray EN (@Galatasaray) November 24, 2015"
"Mustafa Denizli: The situation isn't clear yet in terms of who my assistants and coaches will be.
— Galatasaray EN (@Galatasaray) November 24, 2015"
"Mustafa Denizli: "I am twice as excited now as the first time I took the helm at @Galatasaray in 1987." #UCL
— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) November 23, 2015"
Of course, it wouldn't be the first time a side with as much history and success as Galatasaray overcame adversity and triumphed in an unlikely setting, but in Atletico, they will find opponents who have quickly overcome early-season worries at the back and are once more looking aggressive, rugged and concentrated in their work.
It will be extremely tough for Galatasaray—who conceded two late goals and drew 3-3 at home to 10th-place Antalyspor at the weekend—to maintain any sort of relentless and penetrative offensive march on Atleti without risking opening up gaps at the other end. In the likes of Antoine Griezmann and Yannick Carrasco, of course, Atleti have players to hurt Galatasaray on the counter.
Atleti's troubles have instead been at the other end, where they exist at all for a team unbeaten in eight in all competitions, as they have spurned chances to kill teams off at times. Midfielder Koke isn't unduly worried and insists his side continue to improve—yet remain off the level of Barcelona and Real Madrid, even though his own team now sits above the latter. Omnisport (via AOL) reports Koke as saying:
"Today, we sit second [in La Liga] and with both feet on the ground.
We know that Barcelona and Madrid are one step above, but step by step, we're getting there.
I came from an injury and little by little I'm finding myself in my best shape. Today [Sunday] I have been able to help the team with a goal, with good work, and I hope to continue playing well.
"
His finding the scoresheet was a boost for the team, with too few midfielders aiding Griezmann and Co. in that regard of late, and Atletico will hope it's a sign of things to come—starting with a goal or two and a positive result against Galatasaray.
Date: Wednesday, November 25
Time: 7:45 p.m. GMT/2:45 p.m. ET
Venue: Vicente Calderon, Madrid
TV Info: BT Sport Extra 4 (UK), ESPN3 (USA)
Live Stream: BT Sport Live Streaming (UK), Fox Soccer 2GO (USA)
The Teams
Atletico Madrid have risen to second place in La Liga after four wins in their last five games, though they have only scored one goal in each of their last three league games. In Europe, it hasn't been a hugely different story, with the 0-0 draw in Astana last time out leaving Atleti second in the group with seven points and seven goals scored in four matches.
A victory for the home side on Wednesday would guarantee passage to the knockout phase and even a draw would seal progression—though it would likely leave top spot out of reach, with Benfica two points ahead at present.
Galatasaray are third and know they need to win to reach the last 16, with a head-to-head against Atletico meaning they'll be unable to usurp them on the last matchday if they only draw in the Calderon after Atleti won 2-0 in Turkey on Matchday 1.
Domestically, Galatasaray have won only once in their last four and sit third in the Super Lig, seven points off leaders Besiktas and five behind rivals Fenerbahce.
Team News
Atletico Madrid have Juanfran back available in the squad after he missed the weekend win over Real Betis. The right-back was back involved in training on Monday and is ready to play—with Diego Simeone probably looking at playing his strongest-available team in this fixture to ensure qualification.
"The rest of the team, with @Juanfrantorres back in the group, trains on field 4 of the Sports City #GoAtleti pic.twitter.com/9TmqpdDJQD
— Atleti English (@atletienglish) November 23, 2015"
Luciano Vietto came off the bench in the Betis match to mark his own return from a spell on the sidelines, but Jackson Martinez is not expected to be fit after his injury on international duty. Fernando Torres impressed up front at the weekend in his absence.
Galatasaray have Hamit Altintop out injured, and Kevin Grosskreutz is ineligible to play until January for his new team. Lionel Carole is also not involved for the match in Madrid.
"INJURY UPDATE: Left-back Lionel Carole not in Galatasaray squad, despite involvement in recent training sessions. pic.twitter.com/zy1maYS5rv
— Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) November 24, 2015"
"Our squad list for the @ChampionsLeague game against Atlético Madrid tomorrow: pic.twitter.com/yExnt5Y2N9
— Galatasaray EN (@Galatasaray) November 24, 2015"
Possible Lineups
Atletico (4-4-2): Jan Oblak; Juanfran, Josema Gimenez, Diego Godin, Filipe Luis; Koke, Gabi, Tiago, Yannick Carrasco; Fernando Torres, Antoine Griezmann.
Galatasaray (4-2-3-1): Fernando Muslera; Jason Denayer, Semih Kaya, Hakan Balta, Olcan Adin; Selcuk Inan, Jose Rodriguez; Lukas Podolski, Wesley Sneijder, Yasin Oztekin; Burak Yilmaz.
Player to Watch: Yannick Carrasco (ATM)
Belgian winger Yannick Carrasco is the man in form for Atletico Madrid, carrying the offensive threat with his pace on the ball, his ability to dribble and a consistent ability to find team-mates in the final third. He has scored and created for both club and country with regularity over the past month or so and has found a role for himself as a key performer for Atleti.
Hard work and a willingness to challenge for the ball in the middle third have quickly endeared Carrasco to manager and fans alike—and if he continues to come up with the end product, too, he'll go from regular starter to undroppable in no time.
Atletico's team is well-rounded, defensively strong and has a few very talented players throughout, but with not quite all the forwards firing on all cylinders at present, it's important they have one or two game-changers.
Carrasco is filling that role at present, and it wouldn't be much of a surprise if it was he who ended up being key to unlocking Galatasaray's defence on Wednesday night.
Prediction: Atleti 2-0 Galatasaray
