Atletico Can Bounce Back After Disappointment Against Real and Barça

Atletico Madrid were dumped out of the Champions League and dealt a killer blow in the La Liga title race in the week leading up to the international break. Diego Simeone’s men now face a pivotal week in their season. 

Scott Thornton examines how punters should approach Atleti as they aim to get their title challenge back on track against Espanyol before taking on Barcelona in the Copa Del Rey.

Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at time of publishing and subject to change.

Atleti Need to Bounce Back from Crushing Defeats 

Atletico Madrid took a 2-0 lead against Barcelona in their last match but eventually succumbed to a 4-2 defeat. The game came just days after they played 120 minutes of football against Real Madrid, which undoubtedly had an impact in the closing stages of their game against the Blaugrana. Hansi Flick’s side were able to take advantage of the tired legs and move four points ahead Atleti in the title race.

The penalty defeat against Real Madrid will also have had a psychological effect on Diego Simeone’s players. Atletico were arguably the better side over the two legs but VAR ruling out Julian Alvarez’s spot kick in the penalty shootout proved the decisive factor. 

Los Colchoneros now need to dust themselves off and show the never-say-die spirit that has encapsulated their season thus far. Atletico Madrid have scored more goals beyond the 75th minute than any other side in La Liga with an average of 0.64 per game. They have shown they have the energy to compete in the latter stages of every match. The international break will give their players a chance to recover from a mentally tough week.

Atleti still have plenty to play for in the league. Their title rivals, Barcelona and Real Madrid, still have to play each other in May. They are currently four points behind both having played a game more than Hansi Flick’s men. However, that lead could quickly evaporate with Spain’s big two having to juggle Champions League commitments.

Next League Clash Promises Goals

Espanyol are Atletico Madrid’s next opponent in La Liga. The Catalan side are just one point above the relegation zone coming into the game. They have won just one of their last five matches but they have managed to score an average of one goal per game during that run. Manolo González’s side have scored in their last six home matches. Both teams have found the net in five of those and we are backing it to happen once again.

Atletico Madrid need all three points so expect them to show plenty going forward. Their last 10 away games across all competitions have seen them score an average of 2.2 goals per game. Both teams to score has won in five of their last six on the road. This bet has also won in the last three head-to-heads between the sides at the RCDE Stadium.

The last time Atletico Madrid played Espanyol at this ground, they had to settle for a 3-3 draw. Simeone will be hoping for a better result this time around as they aim to keep their league chase alive but goals are most certainly on the agenda. BETSiE thinks they can get the job done.

Simeone’s Side Have the Edge in the Copa Del Rey  

Diego Simeone’s side also have the chance to win the Copa Del Rey. They managed a 4-4 draw in the first leg of their semi-final against Barcelona. Late goals from Alexander Sørloth and Marcos Llorente secured a comeback from 4-2 down. Atletico Madrid have the advantage ahead of the second leg at the Riyadh Air Metropolitana. 

Los Colchoneros have lost just one of their 16 domestic home games this season, winning 11. Over that period, they have scored an average of two goals per game while conceding just 0.75. They are more than equipped to exact revenge on Barcelona in front of their own fans. 

When Barcelona played Atletico Madrid in the league earlier this month (match stats below), all four of their goals were scored after the 70th, taking advantage of tired legs. Simeone’s side cannot be taken to extra time before the second leg of the semi-final of the cup. 

Atletico Madrid can still salvage their season, but their performance in the next week will be crucial. Simeone will be hoping recent disappointments don’t have a lasting effect.

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