

Atletico Madrid: Moya, Siqueira, Godin, J.Gimenez, Juanfran, Koke, Tiago, Gabi, Turan, Torres, R.Garcia

Valencia: Alves, Barragan, Mustafi, Otamendi, Gaya, Parejo, Fuego, Perez, Feghouli, Piatti, Negrado

A battle of midfield willpower and strength ended at a 1-1 stalemate for the 3rd and 4th place teams in La Liga. Atletico Madrid and Valencia, although only separated by 1 point going into the match, had different aspirations for the outcome and what it would mean to their season. Atletico Madrid hope to be within striking distance of another late season surge to compete for the league title, at least solidifying a Champions League place along the way. For Valencia, they hope to be in the top 4 at the end of the season, guaranteeing at least a Champions League playoff match.

Atletico Madrid originally setup with what looked like to be a 4-4-2 formation, but it was quickly understood that Garcia, as the second forward, would fade behind Torres, allowing Koke and Turan would press high up the pitch, sometimes creating a 4-2-3-1 shape. As Diego Simeone demands, his team’s work rate would allow the shape to shift between these two structures, both defensively and offensively. Valencia’s shape would shift as well, but they originally settled into a 4-3-3. The tendencies and intentions of the 3 in the midfield would affect their shape as well, allowing Parejo to advance in attack at the tip of the midfield triangle, creating a complimentary 4-2-3-1.

By sitting Mandzukic and not having Griezman for selection, Simeone had to shift personnel. By given a chance to start, Torres was out to prove a point as the lone striker. Both he and Garcia heavily focused on the ride side of Valencia’s back four, identifying Otamendi and Gaya as targets. The focus of the two forwards allowed Koke, the midfielder on the opposite side, space to drift and to operate as he pleased. Turan was to stay wide and high, both pinning Gaya back – not allowing him to offensively progress – and putting the outside back under constant pressure, making him always defend deep.

The deadlock was broken with a small sparkle amidst a gritty first half. Koke had drifted to the right of the pitch to win Atletico a free kick in a dangerous position. A trained set piece allowed Torres to flick the ball to an on rushing Koke for a powerful, first time finish. The consistency of trained set piece plays would be a constant throughout the game for Atletico, proving a useful tool in a game defined by its midfield battle.

As Torres, Koke and Turan tired Valencia started to see more of the ball in the second half. Parejo would drop in between his two holding midfielders, and turn looking to distribute. Valencia’s lone forward Negredo played centrally, and Atletico was able to affect him with both of their center backs, denying balls to his feet and his runs in behind. Their eventual threat came from wide areas, starting from midfield dribbles driving with the ball.

Valencia’s 2nd half influence was catalyzed by the exit of Koke, as the left side of Atletico’s midfield opened up, although it was only the one player who was occupying it. The absence of his work rate and intelligence in possession freed up Piatti, who used his pace to advance, and Perez to get in possession and emerge centrally with determination and athleticism.

As the game churned on, Atletico Madrid recoiled into their shape resorting to long balls to the sub Manzukic to latch onto. This often led to an Otamendi clearance into a Valencia counter attack through open space left by tired Madrid players. Valencia’s energetic rebound was rewarded by a set piece goal, which originally ricocheted off of the cross bar, directly into the path of Mustafi, whose header would not be denied.

The game was a physical dogfight, with little glimmers of quality. Both sides’ tactics seemed to nullify each other’s, with Atletico Madrid getting better quality distribution and possession higher up the pitch early on. Koke’s presence was evident in his goal and in his removal from the match, which opened up an entire side of the pitch for Valencia to exploit.

Simeone’s demands of structure and work rate seemed to catch up with his team in the second half, as the shape wilted and gaps between midfield and defense widened. His side’s tendency to shell up when leading in the second half was, again, the weakness which led to allowing Valencia to entertain the thought of snatching a point. Atletico missed an opportunity here to make up ground on 2nd place Real Madrid and need to turn their form around to consider having a shot at a title run. Valencia remains solidly in the top 4 after a well-fought point away from home. This is most likely where Atletico Madrid and Valencia will end up at the conclusion of the La Liga season, in 3rd and 4th positions repectively.