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

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

By Dan Clark | Dec 4, 2017

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) /

2 of 5

MADRID, SPAIN – MAY 06: Diego Godin (L) of Atletico de Madrid competes for the ball with Gonzalo Escalante (R) of SD Eibar during the La Liga match between Club Atletico de Madrid and SD Eibar at Estadio Vicente Calderon on May 6, 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images) /

2. Strengths

Atletico have built up a reputation as having the meanest defence in Europe, marshalled by Diego Godin. Simeone has led his side to two Champions League finals, as well as a La Liga title, with a team based on a strong defence and an efficient strike force able to take the chances they get on the counter.

This Atletico side are the ultimate underdog; they spend considerably less than a lot of the big teams in Europe and so it’s testament to Simeone that he’s managed to create such a force. They have the joint-best defensive record in La Liga and only 3 teams have conceded less in Europe this season.

They also posses some of Europe’s finest attacking talent – Antoine Griezmann is the obvious danger but Koke is a fine player who would get into any starting XI. Those two, Yannick Carrasco and Angel Correa are all counter-attacking factors that Chelsea will have to be extremely careful of.

Home/Champions League