WHO: Arsenal vs Atlético de Madrid
That: Champions League semi-final, second leg
Where: Emirates Stadium, London
When: Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. (7:00 p.m. GMT)
How to follow: We’ll have all the build-up on Al Jazeera Sport from 16:00 GMT ahead of our live text commentary broadcast.
Arsenal host Atlético in London in the Champions League semi-finals with a tie tied 1-1 after a first leg dominated by penalty decisions in the Spanish capital.
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Both teams scored from the penalty spot, but Arsenal thought they should have had a second penalty when Eberechi Eze was headed over inside the area.
But Atlético showed that they do not need to have inferiority complexes when they head to the Emirates Stadium. Diego Simeone’s team had the better of the match at the Metropolitan Stadium last week when Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya had to intervene much more than Atleti’s Jan Oblak.
Whoever emerges triumphant from this tie will face a tough match against Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich in the final on May 30.
Saka gives life to Arsenal’s attack
Bukayo Saka’s return from injury has breathed life back into Arsenal’s attack just in time for the Gunners to dream of a Premier League and Champions League double.
Saka scored and provided an assist for Viktor Gyokeres on Saturday as Mikel Arteta’s men scored three goals for the first time in 16 games in their 3-0 win over Fulham.
All three goals came before Arteta removed Saka at half-time to protect the England winger, who has been suffering from an Achilles tendon injury in recent months.
“He certainly made the difference. He made two actions that decided the game and we know what he is capable of,” Arteta said.
“He has returned in the most important period of the season and now he is fresh.
“His mind is fresh, his hunger is at the highest possible level and I think he needed a performance like that to impact the team, so that’s a great platform for Tuesday.”
Atlético wants to show Álvarez its ambition
For Atlético Madrid striker Julián Álvarez, the consequences of Tuesday’s semi-final clash against Arsenal may go beyond booking a ticket to Budapest at the end of May.
The Argentine striker, linked with a move to Arsenal and Spanish champions Barcelona, has at times appeared to have the itch in the Spanish capital.
Alvarez recently shrugged off the rumors, eager to focus on his team’s chances of winning the silver medal this year and worried about his future later, at least in public.
“I try not to pay too much attention to it.” [rumours] because every week something new comes out, new information, and I don’t waste my energy on that,” Álvarez said before the 1-1 first leg last week.
“Instead, I try to focus on what we are doing. It is the most important moment of the season and I want to be in good shape so I can help the team and do great things here.”
What have the managers said?
Arteta: “We are in an incredible position: the Champions League semi-final. We have to play in front of our people. It is in our hands.”
Simeone: “We have rarely seen so much enthusiasm [from the fans] like we had at the beginning [of the first leg]. “Not everyone will be there for the second leg, but their hearts and souls will be there.”
What have the players said?
Forward Gyokeres: “We know that when we play at home with our fans, it will surely be different. We just have to do our job, give our best and it will be a good game at home.”
Antoine Griezmann, Atleti forward: “We played better in the second half [of the first leg]. We also played with more intensity. That is the way forward and that is what we will do in the second leg. It will be a great game.”
Face to face
The two clubs have met only four times and each won one game and two matches ended in a draw.
Before facing each other this season, the previous meeting ended up being the last European game for former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.
- Wednesday: Atlético de Madrid 1-1 Arsenal (Champions League semi-final)
- October 21: Arsenal 4-0 Atlético de Madrid (Champions League, league phase)
- May 3, 2018: Atlético de Madrid 1-0 Arsenal (Europa League semi-final)
- April 26, 2018: Arsenal 1-1 Atlético de Madrid (Europa League semi-final)
What happened the last time you played against each other?
Álvarez’s penalty secured Atlético Madrid a 1-1 draw against Arsenal in a nervy Champions League semi-final first leg clash.
Gyokeres put the Premier League leaders ahead from the spot just before half-time last Wednesday after being fouled, but Alvarez did the same 10 minutes into the second half after a handball from Ben White.
Arsenal were upset that a late penalty was overturned after a VAR review when David Hancko made contact with Eze in the area.
Has any of the teams ever won the European Cup or the Champions League?
Neither team has ever been European champion.
Atlético reached the final in 2014 and 2016 and was defeated on both occasions by arch-rival Real Madrid.
Arsenal reached the final in 2006, but were beaten 2-1 by Barcelona.
Arsenal team news.
Jurrien Timber is still recovering from a groin injury while Mikel Merino will remain on the sidelines for a while following foot surgery.
However, Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz should be considered fit for the match as they recover from their injuries.
Expected starting eleven:
Raya (goalkeeper); Blanco, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapié; Rice, Zubimendi; Saka, Eze, Trossard; Gyokeres
Atlético team news
Alvarez limped off in the second half of the first leg, but the problem does not appear to be serious and he is ready to go.
Pablo Barrios and Nico González have been ruled out of the match with thigh injuries, while Giuliano Simeone, Alexander Sorloth and José Giménez suffer knocks and will face late physical tests.
Expected starting eleven:
Oblak (goalkeeper); Llorente, Pubill, Hancko, Ruggeri; Simeone, Koke, Cardoso, Lookman; Alvarez, Griezmann
