Liverpool – Atlético Madrid: Andoni Iraola’s Hard-Fought Champions League Win (2-1)

For the second season in a row, Diego Simeone came out with a defeat against Liverpool at Anfield. Transitions and high turnovers were Andoni Iraola's side's main weapons to threaten Atlético Madrid. On the other side, Simeone's team found solutions to loosen Liverpool's high press via manipulation, wide and central overloads, and runs in behind.

Tactical analysis and match report by Achraf Lamdarhri.

The transfer market ended up with question marks looming on the horizon about whether Liverpool covered all the squad deficiencies. After winning the Champions League for two seasons in a row, Bradley Barcola joined from Paris Saint-Germain to replace Mohamed Salah. Victor Munoz and Ronald Araujo landed in Liverpool, with the former to add more depth to the Reds squad and the latter to fill the right-back position. In the end, Liverpool didn't sign a defensive midfielder who was supposed to cover the large ground and add defensive stability the team missed under Arne Slot.

In Spain, the saga of Julián Álvarez came to an end as Atlético Madrid remained firm about their decision not to sell the Argentinian striker to a direct rival in La Liga. As an alternative, Barcelona bought Gabriel Jesus from Arsenal. Atlético Madrid and Julián Álvarez found themselves in a position where they had to figure out a middle ground. Whereas the fans still haven't accepted their striker's return because of his attitude in the summer and reluctance to stay, Diego Simeone tries to reintegrate him into the group and take advantage of his qualities.

Diego Simeone started the game with Marc . . .