Atlético Madrid vs Marseille

Atlético Madrid vs Marseille

Champions League Group D, Matchday 2
Wednesday 1st October, 20.45 CET
Vicente Calderón, Madrid


The Vicente Calderón will host its first Champions League match for eleven years on Wednesday night as Group D leaders Atlético Madrid host French side Olympique de Marseille. The Spanish side are back amongst Europe’s elite after more than a decade out in the wilderness and after thrashing PSV 3-0 in their opening game there is a mood of expectancy amongst the Atléti fans.

Their visitors on the other hand went ahead against Liverpool in their opening match but eventually succumbed to two Steven Gerard strikes, one a glorious dipping effort and the other from the spot. Erik Gerets’ side are arguably considered the weakest team in this tough group and they will have their work cut out for them in Spain

TEAM NEWS

Atlético Madrid

Javier Aguirre is not exactly short of injury troubles as his side prepare for an important month in their season. The good news is that both Maniche and Heitinga should return whilst the bad news is Pablo, Pernia, Forlán and Simao will still be out.

The return of Heitinga should mean that he will partner Tomas Ujfalusi in defence and Luis Perea and Antonio López will go to right and left back respectively. Maniche will play in midfield probably alongside Raúl García although Paulo Assuncao might be given a start.

Probable Starting XI (4-4-2): Coupet – Perea, Ujfalusi, Heitinga, López – Maxi Rodríguez, Maniche, R. García, L. García – Sinama Pongolle, Agüero

Marseille

Marseille should be able to field their strongest side against Atlético Madrid although it remains to be just how Erik Gerets decides to line-up. Against Liverpool it was essentially a 4-4-2 and it seems likely that both Niang and Koné, who didn’t play at the weekend, will start upfront for Marseille.

In midfield Modeste M’Bami could return after only starting on the bench for the Le Mans game whilst Boudewijn Zenden will be hoping to get another taste of Champions League action.

Probable Starting XI (4-4-2): Mandanda – Bonnart, Hilton, Zubar, Taiwo – Valbuena, Cheyrou, Cana, Arfa – Niang, Koné

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Atlético Madrid

The return of Maniche into the Atlético Madrid midfield should add not only creativity but also balance. Against Sevilla they looked short of ideas whilst the Portuguese international has started the season in sensational form and should help to drive the team on from the middle of the park. Were it not for Agüero he would have been man of the match against PSV and he will be hoping to put in a similar performance in front of his home crowd.

Marseille

Hatem Ben Arfa was one of the surprise moves of the summer as he switched from champions Lyon to Marseille. The youngster was rumoured to be going to one of Europe’s big clubs but he decided to stay in France, presumably to develop himself further before leaving. So far this season he has shown exactly why he was so highly rated at Lyon though and he has been undoubtedly one of Marseille’s best players. He is both tricky and fast and if the Atlético Madrid defence are not fully focused he has the ability to either slide a team-mate in to score or to have a pop from long range himself.