Granada – Atlético Madrid: Atlético Continue Title March After Stern Granada Test (1-2)

In their almost identical three-at-the-back shapes, the onus was on Atlético to breach a stubborn Granada as the hosts ceded ball control. There was promise in their possession, especially with Koke in full control, but It would be second-half positional changes which would prompt the difference in the final third. Simeone’s men found the edge to claim the win despite a small setback from a set-piece.
Tactical analysis and match report by Julian Chingoma.

Granada were having a sublime season. In eighth spot, they were in the hunt for qualification to return to the Europa League. They sat six points adrift of fifth place heading into this clash against the runaway leaders. First-placed Atlético were in cruise control, sitting five points ahead of rivals Real Madrid. Their two games in hand would leave some margin for error and Granada would be a tough test. 

It was a 3-4-3 formation for Diego Martínez’s side. With Rui Silva in goal, it was Domingos Duarte, Germán Sánchez and Jesús Vallejo that formed the defensive line. Dimitri Foulquier and Carlos Neva. Yan Eteki and Ángel Montoro were the duo in midfield. Darwin Machís and Kenedy were wide of striker Jorge Molina. 

Despite a number of enforced absences, Diego Simeone was still able to send out a strong side. He deployed a now familiar 3-5-2 formation. Jan Oblak was shielded by the three-man backline of Mario Hermoso, Felipe and Stefan Savić. The makeshift wing-backs would be Saúl Ñíguez and Marcos Llorente. Geoffrey Kondogbia, Koke and Yannick Carrasco would be in midfield while Luis Suárez and . . .

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