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Chelsea: Scouting Atletico Madrid’s form, strengths and weaknesses

By Dan Clark

MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 02: Antoine Griezmann (2ndR) of Atletico de Madrid celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates Gabi Fernandez (R); Yannick Carrasco (3dR),Diego Godin (3dL), Thomas Teye Partey (2ndL) and Fernando Torres (L) during the La Liga match between Club Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad de Futbol at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on December 2, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - DECEMBER 02: Antoine Griezmann (2ndR) of Atletico de Madrid celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates Gabi Fernandez (R); Yannick Carrasco (3dR),Diego Godin (3dL), Thomas Teye Partey (2ndL) and Fernando Torres (L) during the La Liga match between Club Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad de Futbol at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano on December 2, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images) /
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The run of midweek games continues Tuesday, as Chelsea take on Atletico Madrid in the final Champions League group stage game.

LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 29: General view inside the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Chelsea and Swansea City at Stamford Bridge on November 29, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – NOVEMBER 29: General view inside the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Chelsea and Swansea City at Stamford Bridge on November 29, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images) /

The Blues have already made it through to the knockout stages, but a win is crucial to ensure a first-place finish in the group and a probable easier draw in the next round. Atletico will be arriving at Stamford Bridge needing a win to keep their slim hopes of qualifying alive. The Spanish side will have to beat Chelsea and hope that Roma don’t beat a Qarabag side who can still sneak into the Europa League places.

It’s all set-up for an intriguing matchup between two of Europe’s heavyweights. Here’s what Chelsea can expect from Atletico Madrid.

1. Form

By their own recent high-standards, Atletico Madrid have struggled this season. The move to their new stadium seems to have upset their form a little and they’re on the brink of exiting the Champions League at the first hurdle. Domestically, their results have improved slightly after a sluggish start to the season. They’ve recorded 3 wins on the spin and a goalless draw with neighbours Real Madrid in their last 4 outings. Atletico currently sit 3rd in La Liga, 6 points off table-toppers Barcelona.

Atletico haven’t lost a game in all competitions since the return fixture in September, so they are no pushovers.

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