Club Brugge – Atlético Madrid: All Level In Game Of Fluid Attacks (3-3)

Both sides brought attacking quality to this game. Atlético were able to go ahead early and use their narrow front four to good effect, while Brugge’s wing-play in their 4-3-3 system helped them get back into the game. The second half saw Atlético go ahead again, before being denied the win late on by a spirited Brugge side.

Tactical analysis and match report by Josh Manley.

Club Brugge hosted Atlético Madrid in the Champions League Round of Sixteen having secured their qualification from the league phase with a 3-0 win over Marseille at the end of January. The Belgian side have put together a strong track record at home in Europe, and were looking to extend that here against an Atlético side who have had a mixed couple of weeks having beaten Barcelona by four goals, then lost by three against Rayo Vallecano at the weekend.

Brugge lined up in a 4-3-3 shape here, with a back four of Kyriani Sabbe, Joel Ordóñez, Brandon Mechele, and Joaquin Seys. Raphael Onyedika played in midfield along with Aleksandar Stanković and captain Hans Vanaken. Christos Tzolis, Nicolò Tresoldi, and Mamadou Diakhon then formed the front three.

Diego Simeone’s side meanwhile started in a 4-3-3 formation, with Nahuel Molina, Marc Pubill, Dávid Hancko, and Matteo Ruggeri at the back. Koke, Marcos Llorente, and Antoine Griezmann occupied the midfield, flanked by Giuliano Simeone and Ademola Lookman. Julián Alvarez then served as the central attacker.

Fluid Atlético

Diego Simeone’s formation is labeled as a 4-3 . . .