Atlético Madrid – Villarreal: Atlético Need Major Slices Of Luck To Draw Despite Dominant Display (2-2)

Two of LaLiga’s Champions League representatives, in contrasting runs of form, faced off in Madrid. Atlético were rarely tested at the back as Villarreal failed to progress despite seeing plenty of the ball. Villarreal’s backline were unable to say the same as they were made to work from the get-go by the hosts who excelled on the flanks. In the end, costly defensive errors from both sides would mean they shared the spoils.

Tactical analysis and match report by Julian Chingoma.

Diego Simeone’s Atlético have continued the current season where they had left off the last. It was two wins to open the LaLiga campaign for the defending champions and they would aim to keep the ball rolling here. They would host an outfit that have not managed to continue their positive results from the previous campaign.

Villarreal have somewhat stumbled out of the blocks, with two goalless draws in their pair of league games. In addition, they had to deal with some key absences, such as Pau Torres and Samuel Chukwueze, heading into this away trip.

Diego Simeone used his standard approach, which can be described as 3-1-4-2, but can also be seen as 3-1-3-3 at times. Jan Oblak was in goal with Mario Hermoso, José Giménez and Stefan Savić ahead of him. Koke was deep in midfield with Marcos Llorente advanced of him. Yannick Carrasco and Kieran Trippier were the wing-backs while the attacking “trio” were Thomas Lemar, Luis Suárez and Ángel Correa.

Villarreal were lined up in a 4-4-2 formation by Unai Emery . . .