Arsenal's 4-0 victory over Atletico Madrid back in October would suggest this is a favourable semi-final tie for the Gunners – but you would expect them to face a sterner test this time around.
While Diego Simeone's side have kept just one clean sheet in their past nine matches, conceding exactly two goals in the other eight games, they have demonstrated a real cutting edge going forward. They have scored 34 goals in the Champions League – smashing their previous season record of 26 – and their six knockout fixtures in the competition have produced a total of 28 goals (17 scored, 11 conceded).
In contrast, Arsenal's corresponding four matches have produced just five goals. The Gunners' attack has misfired in the past month, so a low-scoring, attritional affair might actually suit them.
Did you know?
- Atletico have won only two of their past 12 matches against Premier League teams (D2, L8) but have never lost at home to an English team in the knockout stage of the Champions League (W3, D3).
- The Spanish club have progressed from six of their past seven European semi-finals, most recently against Arsenal in the 2017-18 Europa League, and 15 of their previous 21 two-legged European ties.
Atletico Madrid player to watch – Julian Alvarez
Former Manchester City forward Julian Alvarez returned to Atletico’s matchday squad last weekend, as he came back from a muscle issue that he picked up on 18 April when his side lost to Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey final.
Alvarez has a club record nine Champions League goals this season and has repeatedly been linked with a summer move to Barcelona. The 26-year-old has applied 853 high-intensity pressures, the most of any player in the Champions League this campaign, and also leads the way in terms of most high-intensity pressures per 90 minutes (70).
Who else?
France forward Antoine Griezmann has only managed to find the net twice in the Champions League this season, but since joining the club in 2021, has been directly involved in 24.2% of Atletico's goals in the competition. It is the highest percentage by any player for a team with at least 100 goals in the tournament's history, just ahead of Lionel Messi for Barcelona (24.1%).
At the other end of the pitch, long-serving goalkeeper Jan Oblak has recently returned to action after a month out on the sidelines. The 33-year-old has started each of the previous two matches.
