Putting my heart on the line today. But this is honestly how I see it. Marcelo is very dangerous coming down that right flank towards Atletico's biggest question mark is right back. With Gimenez getting hurt over the weekend in a 5-0 win, Juanfran out and Vrsaljko still out, you have to wonder how much Marcelo will come forward and try to attack Lucas Hernandez or Thomas Partey whoever gets the call from Simeone. Marcelo is creative and dangerous and can hurt them. But, one of the key things is getting Carassco back today.
There is a lot of talk about how Real Madrid is better without Bale. Possible, but not all of those teams they had success against were of Atletico Madrid's quality. I didn't think Carassco's injury was that bad and I'm not surprised to see him return, but Carassco is Atletico Madrid's Garreth Bale for Real. His pace and one man drive is elite. Same type of player.
And yes, this is Kevin Gamerio's 3rd game back now. He played over the weekend and scored in the 3rd minute and later again in the first half. He is a problem. And I think he be somehow involved in a key moment over these two legs. While Real Madrid get back Varane at CB to pair with Sergio Ramos. This is Varane's first game back I believe. But this is why they went out in the summer and bought Kevin Gameiro. Because at this time for the last few years, Kevin Gamerio was shitting on every UEFA team for Sevilla on his way to a cup final after cup final. This is what he does and why they brought him here for this.
Put aside all of the past history and strictly looking at these two teams, I do not see what everyone is saying.... that Simeone will try for a 0-0 today. I don't agree. I agree with Jwhite that this matchup is more open and goals are possible, but when it comes down to it... this is the moment the entire team for AM has waited for. Screw revenge and all that shit. They do not care about the history imo. This is the Champions League of 2017. They have a team that is built now to compete with Real Madrid over two legs.
Also the ref today is possibly the most legit/fair ref in the game today. So I am not worried about any rigged shit happening today, they just want a classic over two legs.
Atletico Madrid +0.5 +111
BOL