LATEST: from Griezmann’s ingenuity to Julián’s doubts
In breaking news, the following story has emerged from the international scene.
Atlético de Madrid left the Metropolitano with a bittersweet taste. Happy to have surpassed Arsenal in practically all facets of the game, but also with doubts about the result they take to the Emirates. A tie that, given what we have seen, is not good. Once again, Simeone’s team once again offered two faces. A first leg that leaves lights and shadows, that invites optimism despite the difficulty that the visit to London will entail in six days. And Arsenal, which is going through its worst moment of the season, will seek refuge in a fiefdom that it has turned into a fortress in recent years. In fact, since returning to the Champions League three seasons ago they have only lost one of the 18 games they have played in front of their fans. It was last year where they lost against PSG in the first leg of the semifinals. But nothing more. Arteta’s team is a very tough nut to crack and this was demonstrated just a few months ago when they hosted Atlético in the league phase. He gave them a resounding 4-0, but the dynamics in both teams have changed a lot since then. Reasons to believe Because it is clear that this Atlético can wet Arsenal’s ear in their stadium. A war, another one, is expected, but Simeone’s soldiers seem ready for battle. To do so, they must stick to what they have seen during a large stretch of the match at the Metropolitano. Atleti lacked punch, but from their order and play with the ball in three quarters, they managed to prevail over Arteta’s plan. Griezmann appeared, who shone with his own light in his last Champions League match at the Metropolitano. The Frenchman could have been the hero of the night, but the crossbar deprived him of a goal that could have changed the tie. Griezmann applauds the Atlético de Madrid fans during the match against Arsenal. REUTERS The Frenchman was the lighthouse that gave clairvoyance to the rojiblanco attack throughout the match. Behind, in the rearguard, it was Pubill who emerged as the leader. A secondary actor, almost a supporting actor, at the beginning of the course, but since the beginning of 2026 he has made a place for himself in Simeone’s eleven. And it doesn’t seem like that’s going to change. The Catalan was the defensive bastion. He fought again and again with Gyökeres and was key in getting the ball out in the face of pressure from Arsenal at times. At the Emirates he will need to maintain that level if he wants to maintain a rigor at the back that the team has lacked so much throughout the campaign. The doubtsBut it is not all good news. In addition to the result, all eyes throughout the week will be on Julián Álvarez. The Argentine, who arrived at the event in cotton wool, had to retire early due to ankle problems. The red and white ’19’ was having a remarkable game that he signed with his 10th goal in this edition of the Champions League. The first player in the club’s history capable of reaching that figure in a single season. He lacked some finesse in the final meters, but he went home with a goal and scared the entire Arsenal team with a free kick that went around the barrier and ended up on the side of the net. Julián Álvarez celebrates his goal against Arsenal. REUTERS There are only six days left until the return and any type of injury can be definitive for Julián’s presence or not at the Emirates. If he doesn’t, Sorloth must take his place. Of course, we will have to see the Norwegian’s availability. The red-and-white attacker ran out of minutes after suffering some discomfort during the warm-up. It doesn’t seem serious, but he will need to be at 100% in case he ends up getting the opportunity to start in London.
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Source: This article was originally published in another language by El Español – Home and has been translated and adapted for our global English-speaking audience. Read the original article here.