Atlético Madrid – Botafogo: Spaniards Crash Out Despite Edging Brazilians (1-0)

Atlético Madrid overcame Botafogo, but it was the Brazilians who made it through to the next round. The Madrid side’s persistence, high press and midfield overloads might have yielded a bigger win on another day. However, the Rio de Janeiro team defended combatively in a medium-low block and gave Atlético plenty to worry about through swift attacking transitions.

Tactical analysis and match report by David Pugh.

Atlético Madrid and Botafogo went head-to-head on the final matchday in Group B of the FIFA Club World Cup with both sides eyeing a place in the last 16 of the tournament. The LaLiga outfit needed to win by at least three goals to avoid elimination, while a draw or a narrow defeat would be enough for the 2024 Copa Libertadores champions, provided PSG overcame the Seattle Sounders in the group’s other match. 

Atlético boss Diego Simeone made two changes to the side that beat Seattle Sounders last time out. Clement Lenglet returned from suspension in place of the injured José María Giménez, while Conor Gallagher came in for veteran Koke.

Simeone went with his usual 4-4-2 with Jan Oblak between the posts, protected by the centre-back pairing of Robin Le Normand and Lenglet, and Javi Galán and Marcos Llorente as full-backs with a licence to drive forward. Pablo Barrios – named in the Team of the Round for the previous matchday – was partnered with Rodrigo De Paul in centre midfield, with Gallagher and Giuliano Simeone . . .