In only a few hours, Atlético de Madrid will face a decisive duel for the course of the season on the Metropolitano in opposition to Membership Brujas. It will likely be the match akin to the second leg of the spherical of 32 of the Champions League, during which the purple and whites will search to make good on the draw achieved per week in the past within the first leg performed on the Jan Breydel Stadion. The workforce led by Cholo arrives at this occasion in an excellent second, and after beating Espanyol (4-2) within the league, the sentiments are very constructive within the face of a conflict that takes on particular significance because of the second of irregularity that the workforce goes by.
Contained in the mattress locker room they hope that the followers will likely be on their facet and assist, as typical, deliver the workforce nearer to victory and obtain the long-awaited passage to the Champions League spherical of 16. The ‘native’ issue is nothing new for the Colchonero membership, and on this event, with an unfavorable consequence, the assist of the followers will likely be essential in a day of emotion and fervour on the Metropolitano. This was additionally expressed by a number of gamers on the squad, comparable to Marc Pubill and even the captain, Koke Resurrección.
The whole lot able to obtain Bruges
In relation to the tactical facet, Diego Pablo Simeone has been with this match in thoughts for a number of days and organizing what would be the beginning eleven this afternoon. The Argentine coach begins from a reasonably strong base. The scheme seen in opposition to Barça within the Copa del Rey goals to be similar to this time. Nonetheless, there are some very particular doubts after some video games with doubts and surprises from some red-and-white gamers.
To begin, Jan Oblak will seem between the sticks, as typical. The protection will likely be fashioned by David Hancko and Marc Pubill as a middle again pair, and Matteo Ruggeri as a left again. The primary unknown happens in the precise wing, since though within the final video games it was Nahuel Molina who performed in that place, transferring Llorente to the midfield, his function in Bruges was considerably questioned and Simeone might go for the Spanish worldwide for the precise wing.

The massive doubt for Simeone
The great stage of Johnny Cardoso proven in opposition to Espanyol may very well be a robust argument to defend his beginning place in opposition to Bruges. Moreover, this may give much more that means to a doable look of Llorente as a full-back, giving up his place within the midfield to the American. On this approach, the purple and white midfield can be made up of Koke and Cardoso. Ademola Lookman and Giuliano Simeone would play on the left and proper lanes, respectively. As he has been doing in these previous couple of video games, Antoine Griezmann may also begin and occupy that ’10’ or midfielder place that he’s giving a lot to Atlético.
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— Atlético de Madrid (@Atleti) February 23, 2026
Lastly, within the purple and white ahead would be the star of the workforce, who’s none aside from Julián Alvarez. The Argentine attacker scored in opposition to Bruges within the first leg from the spot, and hopes to delay his scoring streak within the Champions League, after some very troublesome weeks for the ‘spider’. Though it might fluctuate resulting from last-minute tactical choices, Atlético de Madrid’s beginning eleven in opposition to Membership Brujas will likely be as follows: Oblak; Ruggeri, Hancko, Pubill, Llorente; Koke, Cardoso; Lookman, Griezmann, Giuliano; Julian.



























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