One of many huge storylines getting into Atlético de Madrid’s Champions League opener in opposition to Liverpool centered on how Atlético would deal with the relentless and aggressive urgent techniques of Andoni Iraola. Within the first half, Atleti did actually good work to play by way of the press and create alternatives. A lot in order that Mr. Anfield himself, Marcos Llorente, scored his fifth profession purpose in Liverpool’s stadium after a beautiful ball from Julián Alvarez.
Liverpool grew into the sport although and broke by way of after Atleti have been dispossessed and the ball landed on the ft of Dominik Szoboszlai following some poor defending from the Colchoneros. Szoboszlai equalized for the Reds within the fortieth minute, they usually saved the stress as much as begin the second half.
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Liverpool almost went forward 2-1 by way of Bradley Barcola, however the French winger shot broad of Jan Oblak’s internet. Alexis Mac Allister’s shot didn’t miss although, and 5 minutes into the second half, Liverpool took the lead.
Atlético didn’t do a lot to bother Liverpool’s purpose within the second half following a strong first half and the result’s greater than truthful. For Atleti, it is back-to-back away losses as Diego Simeone’s males return to LaLiga on Sunday to play Actual Sociedad.
Let’s dive into some takeaways from Atleti’s first Champions League sport of the season.
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Groundhog Day
As I sit down and recap the match in my head, I feel to myself, “What went incorrect?” The straightforward solutions are unhealthy substitutions, poor away kind, lack of creativity in assault and psychological errors within the midfield and defensive strains resulting in targets. One thing I am realizing is that the overarching downside with all of these “smaller” points is that it appears like I am writing about the identical factor week after week.
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For these not acquainted, “Groundhog Day” is a 1993 American romantic comedy starring Invoice Murray, wherein a cynical tv weatherman masking the annual Groundhog Day occasion in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania turns into trapped in a time loop, forcing him to relive February 2 repeatedly.
Sound acquainted?
What number of instances have we seen Simeone make the incorrect name and both make a substitution too late or refuse to make one till the match is already too far gone?
Take the link-up between Pablo Barrios and Kang-In Lee, for one. You possibly can argue that Barrios was, but once more, the most effective participant for Atlético on Wednesday. It is no secret the second half was sparse when it comes to attacking alternatives, however Simeone subbed off Kang-In and Koke for Alejandro Grimaldo and Ademola Lookman.
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I disagree with the concept these modifications will be made on the expense of Kang-In. That is precisely the participant Atleti wanted to steer the cost within the second half,
Atletico Madrid’s Lee Kang-In reacts after shedding a boot in the course of the UEFA Champions League, league part match at Anfield, Liverpool. Image date: Wednesday September 9, 2026. (Picture by Peter Byrne/PA Pictures through Getty Pictures) | PA Pictures through Getty Pictures
The second questionable resolution was bringing on Morten Hjulmand within the 77th minute and depart him on the pitch as the one midfielder. An already-shaky midfield line shouldn’t be going to be bolstered by a participant who already is exhibiting, for all his virtues in possession, that he is not going to repair Atleti’s points in transition.
I do know it isn’t truthful to pin all this on Hjulmand’s shoulders, contemplating he entered the sport late within the second half. Liverpool already had worn down Atleti to the purpose of positional breakdowns and psychological errors.
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You truly noticed each the midfield and defensive psychological lapses culminate in a single play on Liverpool’s opening purpose. Kang-In was dispossessed, and neither Cristian Romero nor Dávid Hancko may cease a Ronald Araújo back-heel from going by way of to Szoboszlai.
Lastly, the creativity in assault. Atleti proceed to display an incapacity to interrupt by way of an organized, self-discipline protection. The key is out and extra groups proceed at hand Atleti the ball, playing that the Colchoneros is not going to discover a purpose to tie or in any other case get nearer on the scoreline.
Halfway by way of the second half, Atleti have been awarded a free kick in Liverpool’s half, and Álex Baena stood over the ball to take it. Somewhat than taking part in somebody by way of to purpose or taking an extended shot from that place, he elected to cross it outdoors the field to Giuliano Simeone, who despatched the ball careening out of play for a purpose kick. That may’t be the best choice you’ve got once you’re down a purpose.
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One of many huge causes Gabi was introduced in as Simeone’s prime assistant was to enhance Atleti’s choices from set items. Keep in mind the early 2010s when Simeone sides have been completely deadly from corners? Not too long ago, when have you ever felt assured Atleti have been going to do one thing from a nook?
Simeone wants time and endurance to determine how Atleti are going to attain targets persistently. However time and endurance aren’t qualities he ie having fun with universally anymore. Followers are rising pissed off, and outcomes like this re not an exception to the rule. They’ve turn into the rule.
The nice & the unhealthy from Atleti’s Argentines
Outdoors of his error on the Szoboszlai equalizer, Cuti Romero was Atleti’s greatest defender final evening. Romero was recognized final summer time as Simeone’s dream defensive signing, however Atleti weren’t capable of safe his signing till late on this 12 months’s window. Due to this, he was a late arrival to coaching and didn’t debut till Saturday’s match in opposition to Athletic Membership.
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Final evening was his first begin, and he actually regarded the a part of Simeone’s anchor within the protection. Marc Pubill arguably had his worst match as a Rojiblanco on Wednesday, and Hancko has not been in the most effective kind not too long ago both. Because the weeks go on and Romero will get extra comfy, I can solely see his performances — and affect — rising.
Julián Alvarez made his first 2026/27 season begin at Anfield, which got here as a shock on condition that Simeone teased his star ahead could be a substitute. After a summer time of drama (to place it mildly), Julián regarded nearer to himself on Wednesday; he assisted Llorente with a gorgeous go and went near including a purpose of his personal, solely to be denied by Alisson’s acrobatic save.
It is no secret Alvarez loves the Champions League. If he has any hope of discovering his method again into Atleti followers’ good graces, then bagging purpose contributions — and a number of them — on phases like this may go a good distance.
We talked in regards to the good Argentines, however Giuliano Simeone sadly falls within the different class. El Cholo’s son faces rising scrutiny over his position within the squad; he had a dismal second half and was the apparent weak hyperlink as Atleti tried fruitlessly to even the rating.
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Whereas he is a terrific character and a tough employee, Giuliano’s technical shortcomings proceed to let him down. He is been tried this summer time as a right-wing-back and now as a left-wing-back. Neither experiment is figuring out for the most effective.
I view Giuliano greatest in its place, somebody who provides you with 100%, continuous vitality for 20-45 minutes. What’s greatest for him at this second of poor kind is a shift right into a substitute or a job participant with an vital standing within the squad, however not somebody who’s undroppable from the XI.
Mr. Anfield strikes once more
Let’s wrap this up on a optimistic observe and discuss how a lot Marcos Llorente loves taking part in at Anfield. A lot in order that he is named certainly one of his canines “Anfield.”
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Enjoyable reality: Marcos Llorente has scored extra targets at Anfield than the golf equipment beneath:
Everybody remembers when Llorente introduced himself to the world by scoring a brace and recording an help on Alvaro Morata’s match-winning purpose simply earlier than the pandemic hit in 2020 to beat Liverpool in Anfield. He adopted up that efficiency with one more brace final season, in a match that Atleti finally misplaced.
Many have been anticipating an enormous evening from Llorente and he delivered simply that by scoring from a beautiful go from Alvarez to open up the scoring within the match.
