Here is your preview: Among all eight quarterfinalists, Atletico Madrid have conceded the lowest percentage of their expected goals from fast breaks. Meanwhile, Leipzig have created the highest percentage of their expected goals from fast breaks. Styles make fights, and I’ll be here a few minutes before kickoff, which is at 3 PM EST.
Hell of a game. My main takeaway: "Champions League experience" is bullshit. That's the exact kind of tetchy game that you'd expect the more experienced team to win. Also: Tyler Adams is the fuckin goat baby USA USA USA.
The idea of Atletico as this morally ambivalent band of guerrilla warfare outlaws lead by a darkly charismatic firebrand is great narrative, but it's easy to conflate the enjoyment of the concept of Atleti existing with enjoyment of them actually playing
I think the last one is the most important. While Atletico defend deep, they only typically allow 9-10 passes into the box. RBL nearly doubled that, and they did it without their superstar striker. Outside of the one run by Joao Felix, Atletico barely created anything. Seems like a fair result to me, a defining moment for Tyler Adams and a signature win for THIRTY-THREE-YEAR-OLD Julian Nagelsmann over the one-game-knockout king.
Thanks for chatting today; we got through that slog together. Loved it today, and we'll do it again tomorrow.
More on this: They had the second-best xG differential in the league (per 90 minutes) when down a goal. They can turn it on when they want to, sometimes.
RTing this from before, as it seems especially pertinent now: "The most non-penalty goals scored this season, in all competitions, by a player in Atletico's current lineup? Five."
Felt like a pretty quiet game from Nkunku, though he did create four of RBL's nine chances. I think that's a good sign, actually. He can affect a game without standing out.
Well in a game against one of Europe’s most dogged defenses, Upamecano certainly took his opportunity to showcase his own defensive skills. He’s come up frequently in this thread and I’d say his command on the backline for Leipzig and his ability to move drive the ball into Atletico’s half had a major influence on this one
my motm: kampl, felt like he did a great job of being the link up from defence to attack, pushing the ball forward, keeping the RBL pressure going. vertical jorginho, keep the wheel rolling.
For it's between Upamecano and Kampl. Upamecano's defense was really on point and Kampl was distributing the balls in midfield non-stop and had me convinced that he wanted to win by all means
As much as the RB project has been seen as problematic in Germany, it is kinda cool for Yussuf Poulsen to have joined them 7 years ago in 3rd division and now he's the captain of their CL quarter final squad (and he's only 26)
I think I need to stop making single-game predictions, but my guess for this one is 1-0, Atletico. Just seems like a particularly bad matchup for RBL. Could very easily be one of those games where the chances go in — Atletico WILL give up chances — and RBL wins, but they’ve just never really played a team like this. What do you guys think?
Love you dragging Juve through the mud. Agnelli's belief that Juve have a divine rite to be in the champions league yet keep getting eliminated by teams from the leagues he despises is some awesome Karma
Totally agree. Also when PSG plays Marquinhos, Verrati, and Gueye in the center that midfield is insane. When they beat Real Madrid 3-0 earlier this year that was some guilty pleasure watching for sure.
Crazy how many good players France has. When Bundesliga was the only league going, whenever i saw a player I liked who I wasn't familiar with (Upamecano, Nkunku, Thuram, Plea) they were all French nationals
I wrote a giant comment n reply to this but then my Chrome app crashed. The long story short is that Upemacano certainly has a chance at securing the CB spot Umtiti had for France in the 2018 WC, but he'd have to get ahead of Laporte, Lenglet, and Kimpembe first - starters for three of the best teams in the world. Not to mention the most expensive defender in the world, Lucas Hernandez. France are STACKED.
Is everyone actually perplexed that Simeone fielded his stingiest lineup, and only rolled out attackers as he needed to? Or just annoyed that he’s Simeone?
Atletico’s best offense has always been its defense. Makes sense to me (especially in a one game quarterfinal) for Atletico to treat the first half like the first leg (don’t concede) and adapt as needed after 60’
Really appreciate that both Leipzig today and Atalanta yesterday seem to do everything as fast as they possibly can. There’s no waiting around looking for ways to break the opponents down, they figure it out as they sprint up the field.
Hell of a game. My main takeaway: "Champions League experience" is bullshit. That's the exact kind of tetchy game that you'd expect the more experienced team to win. Also: Tyler Adams is the fuckin goat baby USA USA USA.
Tyler Adams=gully
Am I the only one who constantly forgets how much I don't like watching Atletico?
The idea of Atletico as this morally ambivalent band of guerrilla warfare outlaws lead by a darkly charismatic firebrand is great narrative, but it's easy to conflate the enjoyment of the concept of Atleti existing with enjoyment of them actually playing
Exactly!
most of the times i watch them there's a gimenez header to win 1-0 that happens when i stop watching for 30 seconds somewhere between 70th - 85th min
Remember when they beat Real Madrid 7-3 in preseason? They had us all fooled
work was cancelled today and I had a brief moment of excited before seeing the match and realizing it was Atletico
Had to stay at work late and miss yesterday, of course I got out early to watch this. Hate to see it
Tough scene for you.
It's only fun for the Simeone reactions
I get what your saying. They have a ton of talent on the team but they can be a little boring to watch especially if it isn't your club you support.
INSANE CURVE ON THAT SHOT BY THE MODERN-DAY ZIDANE
My mom just saw Morata and said, "Oh, is that the American kid?"
Brutal
That’d solve the striker problems, that’s for sure
Would it though?
Some final stats:
-xG: RBL 0.9, AM 1.11 (PK worth 0.76)
-Shots: RBL 10 (4 on goal), AM 9 (3)
-Final-third passes: RBL 137, AM 51
-Passes into penalty area: RBL 19, AM 10
I think the last one is the most important. While Atletico defend deep, they only typically allow 9-10 passes into the box. RBL nearly doubled that, and they did it without their superstar striker. Outside of the one run by Joao Felix, Atletico barely created anything. Seems like a fair result to me, a defining moment for Tyler Adams and a signature win for THIRTY-THREE-YEAR-OLD Julian Nagelsmann over the one-game-knockout king.
Thanks for chatting today; we got through that slog together. Loved it today, and we'll do it again tomorrow.
Imagine if he'd started the game ...
Why start your best attacking players when the other team has 0 goals at the start of the game?
I have to say I quite like how Simeone has done this though, frustrating Leipzig and now attacking fresh and late
has he been out of favor? haven't followed much atleti this season or did simeone want to just go super conservative?
Has Jan Oblak ever ran before? The evidence of a few seconds ago suggests "no".
Just looked it up. Atleti have three come-from-behind wins in La Liga this year. League average was two.
More on this: They had the second-best xG differential in the league (per 90 minutes) when down a goal. They can turn it on when they want to, sometimes.
did they bring on felix in the other games?
RTing this from before, as it seems especially pertinent now: "The most non-penalty goals scored this season, in all competitions, by a player in Atletico's current lineup? Five."
over under on when simeone brings on felix is prob like 83rd min
Maybe the better question is how many goals by players currently on their bench? (I don’t actually know)
Felt like a pretty quiet game from Nkunku, though he did create four of RBL's nine chances. I think that's a good sign, actually. He can affect a game without standing out.
The most non-penalty goals scored this season, in all competitions, by a player in Atletico's current lineup? Five.
this seems not good
You only have to score if you let the other team score.
Diego Simone's mantra
Interesting decision by Halstenberg to kick that ball out of the stadium rather than at the goal.
Diego Costa is looking more and more like a less hairy Rob Delaney
Simeone is the highest paid manager in the world to ensure that football is as fun as going to a dentist
just a couple of former MLS players connecting for champions league goal
Wasn't familiar with him before this one but Upamecano is a stellar center back.
Thought Kimpembe was fantastic for PSG yesterday, too. So many good central defenders from France right now.
Was just thinking the same thing
Upamecano is just flying around out there today, it feels like he’s everywhere at once. He feels like a future Pep CB the way he acts on the ball.
Who is your MOTM? And don't just give me a name; give me a reason, too.
Upemacano. Was a rock in the back shutting down the final 3rd and also was distributing the ball pretty well.
Well in a game against one of Europe’s most dogged defenses, Upamecano certainly took his opportunity to showcase his own defensive skills. He’s come up frequently in this thread and I’d say his command on the backline for Leipzig and his ability to move drive the ball into Atletico’s half had a major influence on this one
sabitzer for first assist and pretty incredible pass to set up angelino's cross to adams
my motm: kampl, felt like he did a great job of being the link up from defence to attack, pushing the ball forward, keeping the RBL pressure going. vertical jorginho, keep the wheel rolling.
For it's between Upamecano and Kampl. Upamecano's defense was really on point and Kampl was distributing the balls in midfield non-stop and had me convinced that he wanted to win by all means
if i ever win a champion league bet ill buy an angelino NYCFC #69 jersey
The American kid
I can’t wait to record the next pod when Franco rates Joao Felix gully
According to the betting markets, Atletico's win probability is down 10 percent, while RBL's has remained the same. https://www.gambletron2000.com/champions-league/53312/rb-leipzig-vs-atletico-madrid
great to hear!
Marcos Llorente, who scored twice against Liverpool in the Round of 16, had nine touches in the first half.
As much as the RB project has been seen as problematic in Germany, it is kinda cool for Yussuf Poulsen to have joined them 7 years ago in 3rd division and now he's the captain of their CL quarter final squad (and he's only 26)
Idea: Diego Simeone for Argentina manager.
Old man Messi kicks the ball, everybody else kicks the other team. It has to work!
I think I need to stop making single-game predictions, but my guess for this one is 1-0, Atletico. Just seems like a particularly bad matchup for RBL. Could very easily be one of those games where the chances go in — Atletico WILL give up chances — and RBL wins, but they’ve just never really played a team like this. What do you guys think?
bet atletico -.5...it always works out when we are aligned
oh god
I hope Leipzig score first and force Atletico to go for it and bring on Felix/Morata... don't really know what to expect from Leipzig though.
Complete this punnet square
Good to watch + Good that they exist (GwGe):
Good to watch + Bad that they exist (GwBe): PSG
Bad to watch + Good that they exist (BwGe): Atletico
Bad to watch + Bad that they exist (BwGe):
Top: Atalanta
Bottom: Juventus
Love you dragging Juve through the mud. Agnelli's belief that Juve have a divine rite to be in the champions league yet keep getting eliminated by teams from the leagues he despises is some awesome Karma
After watching PSG yesterday, I'm pretty sure the answer to the second one is either "Man City" or "Neymar and Neymar only."
ANNOUNCEMENT: If you're interested in this brand of soccer-talk enough to take part in this chat, go subscribe to John's newsletter:
https://www.spacespacespaceletter.com/
It's great; I learn something new every time I read it; the writing makes me smile.
Spacespacespace is awesome, highly recommend
A fit Mbappe makes PSG better to watch than City imo. Also, I tire of Pep
Totally agree. Also when PSG plays Marquinhos, Verrati, and Gueye in the center that midfield is insane. When they beat Real Madrid 3-0 earlier this year that was some guilty pleasure watching for sure.
I love when goalkeepers end up in the opposing box
Most important goal scored by any American in any club level soccer competition Or am I forgetting one?
Clint Dempsey saved Fulham from relegation. Probably worth more than this, but it's up there.
An American doing something worth celebrating in 2020. Love to see it
Crazy how many good players France has. When Bundesliga was the only league going, whenever i saw a player I liked who I wasn't familiar with (Upamecano, Nkunku, Thuram, Plea) they were all French nationals
They won the World Cup without all of em (and Benzema), too.
You think any of the younger ones will start to get a look? Upamecano and Thuram?
I wrote a giant comment n reply to this but then my Chrome app crashed. The long story short is that Upemacano certainly has a chance at securing the CB spot Umtiti had for France in the 2018 WC, but he'd have to get ahead of Laporte, Lenglet, and Kimpembe first - starters for three of the best teams in the world. Not to mention the most expensive defender in the world, Lucas Hernandez. France are STACKED.
That’s what a world class youth development pipeline will get you!
Upemacano is really showing out in this match. I knew he was good but I've been really impressed today!
Can’t wait to see him line up with the France squad.
He can slot in for Varane.....Kidding
The depth at CB for France is crazy good.
I'm old enough to remember Angeliño starting for Man City at Anfield against Liverpool earlier THIS SEASON
I'm old enough to remember Yannick Carrasco, who is 26, leaving Atletico Madrid to play in China.
This would be Simeone's first loss to a non-Ronaldo side, no?
In the knockouts, yes.
*in CL
Can’t wait for Leipzig to get dumped out by PSG because PSG’s 3rd sub off the bench is Mbappe
Trippier out of position. You don’t say???
Gotta love when simeone is the one calming everyone down
re: that simulation call, Univision commentary just brought up Robben's dive against Mexico in world cup 2014. Some wounds never heal
Robben's what now?
Happy that goal fell. I so despise Atletico’s style (I know it makes me quite basic). May be this match gets fun now
lol who were they playing music for in this stadium. Post Malone blasting for no one
Posty is Simeone’s walkout music
start tyler adams, cowards
Top notch shithousery
Leipzig deserved the goal even with the deflection. They have been the better side.
Calling the dubious goals panel
upmecano just pulled the giannis headbutt
Is everyone actually perplexed that Simeone fielded his stingiest lineup, and only rolled out attackers as he needed to? Or just annoyed that he’s Simeone?
Atletico’s best offense has always been its defense. Makes sense to me (especially in a one game quarterfinal) for Atletico to treat the first half like the first leg (don’t concede) and adapt as needed after 60’
This aged poorly
Uh oh do we all have to start rooting for Leipzig now that an American comes on?
Smfh assuming everyone in this chat is American
Good point.....
Hey look what happens when you put in your good players
Wonderful run by Felix
Really appreciate that both Leipzig today and Atalanta yesterday seem to do everything as fast as they possibly can. There’s no waiting around looking for ways to break the opponents down, they figure it out as they sprint up the field.