Atletico de Madrid Face Bayern: Revenge or A Continuing Masterclass?

(Photo Credit: JDSSPORTS)

Atletico de Madrid has played the Champions League final twice in three years. During the 2015/16 season Bayern suffered its third semi-final defeat in three seasons at the hands of Atletico de Madrid who won on away goals. Simeone knows Carlo Ancelotti too well amid Ancelotti’s time as head coach of Real Madrid where Simeone dominated the league and Ancelotti dominated the Champions League. Would Bayern Munich continue with the fantastic form that they have had throughout the Bundesliga or would Atletico de Madrid with Diego Simeone show Bayern Munich that they are better than they were last season?

Being a winner of a group in the UEFA Champions League is everything as it helps teams face an opposition whose strength in depth is lower compared to the winners of a group.

Simeone and Ancelotti know this too well. They are the two teams that would qualify for the next round of the competition after their wins against PSV and Rostov respectively. Their game would be a stepping stone towards determining which team becomes the winner at the end of the group face. 

Bayern and Atletico Both Strengthened Its Squads during the Transfer Window

Bayern has brought in Renato Sanchez to challenge teams that have a great midfield like that of Atletico. Last season Arturo Vidal was the only box-to-box midfielder in the Bayern team that faced Atletico whiles Koke, Gabi and Augusto Fernandez fought their hearts out covering every length and breadth of the pitch. 

Renato brings a lot of positives into this game as he can challenge and supplement the performances of Arturo Vidal by helping the team in defense and also in attack.

Nicolas Gaitan left Benfica at the end of the 2015/16 season and was joined by Kevin Gameiro from Sevilla. The two brings a new quest for glory into the Atletico de Madrid setup something their city rivals failed to do this season. 

On the attacking third, an in-form Robert Lewandowski faces off against the best player of the UEFA Euro 2016, Antoine Griezmann. Lewandowski and Griezmann are both finalists of the Champions League but who would get the edge.

Simeone has played Carlo Ancelotti numerous times but the Champions League is the hallmark of the Italian who aims to become the first manager to win the Champions League with three different clubs.

Would It Be a Masterclass from Atletico de Madrid or revenge by Bayern Munich.