Atletico Madrid vs AC Milan preview

March 10, 2014
By: Nemanja Lazarevic

Atletico vs AC MilanAtletico Madrid are well in the driving seat following the fortunate 1-0 victory at San Siro, but los Colchoneros are aware the tie is far from over.

Buoyed by the impressive display in the first leg, the Rossoneri believe they can overturn a one-goal deficit, although back to back Serie A defeats have disrupted the good atmosphere in the squad.

Atletico Madrid are still living the dream and they are hoping Milan won’t be the one to wake them up on Tuesday evening.

Los Colchoneros overcame a number of important absentees to record a league victory over Celta Vigo and remain in the title chase, and they can now fully focus on their European campaign.

Having largely impressed in the group stages, Diego Simeone’s men struggled to prove their worth in the first leg against AC Milan, but eventually took advantage of the opposition mistakes to record a 1-0 triumph.

And with los Colchoneros yet to lose a home game this season, it is hardly surprising they have been made 1.11 (1/9) favourites to make it through.

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid are 1.50 (1/2) to win the return leg as well and keep the spirits high ahead of the league clash against Espanyol.

Diego Simeone is able to welcome back Diego Costa, Arda Turan and Diego Godin from domestic suspension, whereas Tiago Mendes has recovered from a knee problem but is unlikely to feature.

Probable starting line-up (4-4-2): Courtois – Juanfran, Godin, Miranda, Luis – Koke, Gabi, Mario, Turan – Costa, Villa.

AC Milan are trying to get the most out of a disappointing season, but it appears there will be little reason for joy come end of the campaign.

The Rossoneri were unable to get their Europa League bid back on track, with successive defeats to Juventus and Udinese leaving them nine points adrift of European positions.

Meanwhile, they did well to qualify for the Champions League knockout stages and completely outplayed in-form Atletico at San Siro, but eventually had to settle for a narrow defeat after missing several glorious chances and conceding a late goal.

Having done so well in the first match, the Rossoneri could be forgiven for thinking they can overturn a one-goal deficit at Vicente Calderon, and they are 8.00 (7/1) to qualify for the quarter-finals.

There will be some changes to the side following the weekend’s defeat to Udinese, with captain Riccardo Montolivo suspended and Keisuke Honda cup-tied.

The good news is Mario Balotelli and Andrea Poli are in the squad, but Stephan El Shaarawy and Andrea Petagna remain sidelined.

Probable starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Abbiati – De Sciglio, Rami, Zapata, Emanuelson – de Jong, Muntari – Taarabt, Kaka, Robinho – Balotelli.

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