Atlético de Madrid – Girona: Victory with a European flavour (3-1)

After beating Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League, Cholo Simeone's team is still on a roll, and they hit the table against Girona in the fight for third place in LaLiga.

Tactical analysis and match report by Xavi Sánchez.

These are good days for Atlético de Madrid fans. After a miraculous qualification to the quarter-finals of the Champions League on penalties against Inter, Simeone's side are making steady progress in the European competition after beating Borussia Dortmund in the first leg of the quarter-finals. Despite the importance of the second leg in Germany, Simeone didn't hold anything back against the surprise package of this LaLiga and went back to a back four to try to be more attacking, forming a 4-4-2 with Reinildo at left-back.

These are not such good days for Girona. After their extraordinary start to the LaLiga campaign, which even allowed them to dream of winning the league title, Michel's side are suffering a bad run of form away from home with four consecutive defeats. Despite this, they are still in third place and came to the Metropolitano with the ambition of extending the gap with their pursuers, Atlético de Madrid, in a duel with a clear European flavour.

Savinho's magic and Atleti's defensive weaknesses

Savio Moreira, 'Savinho', is a sprinter and an architect at the same time. With his ability to run and run, the Brazilian makes the way clear for his team-mates. A star under a well-tuned choir. Girona were unstoppable at the start. Their fast . . .

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