The possession figure was 'only' 64.4% (in terms of time with the ball), but still never thought I'd see Atletico register a figure that high. I rarely applaud playing to draw (or rather, "not lose") a game of football when the game result doesn't determine the tie result but on this occasion, it was a savvy move. An Atletico Madrid level move one might say. Drinkwater had a terrible game but the back 4 and Ndidi were decent. The problem in the return leg is that Atletico will probably score. They rarely score a bunch at a time, but they regularly score once. I don't see Leicester winning 3-1. I hope they do, flying the Prem flag, but it's unlikely. Said that a few times about Leicester before though so congrats on reaching the semis. Lol
@SteveHyland it's very unfair that the game didn't end 0-0. The second leg Leicester would be able to sit back again like this and play on the counter but for the ref robbing them.
All the trolls need to accept now that Leicester are quality. This should have been 0-0. Great performance by Leicester and Schmeichel barely had to do anything. The referee is literally the difference between the two sides and MOTM.
10-2 shots for Atletico, 3-0 on target, almost 70 % possession ( new record for Madrid ? ) . The result reflects kind of what is happening on the pitch ...
@neumi17 You're wrong by the way. Leicester had a few shots on target, but they were blocked. They had one blocked by the last defender in the box too.
Albrighton tried to stop a clear goal scoring opportunity by rugby tackling Griezmann just outside the box and taking a yellow and free kick. Instead conceded a penalty that probably shouldn't have been (where the contact occurred hard to see). Don't have much sympathy.
This is so unpredictable to call. Altetico never dominate possession and Leicester you would think are going to park the bus for the majority of the game. Personally I'd pick +2 handicap Leicester. Hard to see many goals in this game
Leicester here have met their masters of their actual game and noway in hell Leicester have a chance at Vincente Calderon at least. I see a comfortable 3/4:0 in this game!
Leicester need to massively park the bus. Two banks of 4 deep and have both strikers very deep in front of the central midfielders making it almost a 4-4-2-0/4-6-0. They need to park the bus and pray to get Vardy in behind the Atletico defence with fast counters. And pray that Schmeichel plays brilliantly. I don't think Atletico's front two is that suited to playing against a park the bus team, or Atletico in general for that matter. Leicester can surprise some and be competitive if they keep their nerve and keep their heads. To successfully use this strategy I suggest not committing too many fouls either as it will break defensive rhythm. The template team is really the only option for Leicester and the obvious weak link is Benalouane. If Benalouane has a bad game I expect Atletico to score at least 4. If he plays well then Leicester can be competitive if they keep 11 men on the pitch. I think 2-0 is likely, if Leicester panic they may lose 4-1 or 5-1
@Ideas Atletico can make ANYONE have the majority of the ball. In their last ten games they averaged 43,3% possession, while in all last four they didn't even hit 40% mark.
@hindy I'm not sure they will do that against Leicester though will they? They are better man for man in every position on the pitch. Lot's of teams play possession football in La Liga. If you are the better passing team you want to control the football as you can be defensive in possession of the ball and wear down the opposition. You may be right though, Atletico may try to trick Leicester into having more possession and tear them apart on the counter. If Leicester are wise to it they will just try to kill time in the game by keeping the ball and keeping men back
@Ideas- Almost. Mahrez and Vardy are clearly better than Carrasco and Torres but the rest is in Atletico's favour by a fair bit. Having said that, wasn't that exactly the case for Leicester versus all of the top 6 in the prem last season? Only Arsenal did the double over them. Leciester are simply a true team and they need to play as the whole to qualify but it is possible. Highly improbable but more possible than the odds of Barca getting through after the 1st leg in the previous round. Leciester need to keep this within 2 though. It looks as though they are parking the whole fleet of busses, 12 minutes in.
@Ideas To get anything from the game really Leicester need Schmeichel to have a great game and they need to grab an early goal somehow with a fast Vardy break. I think Leicester need to try to draw this game 0-0 and forget about the away goal. I say try, because to do it they need to offer a counter attack threat or they will get pummeled. This will be an interesting encounter. Fully expect Leicester to crumble, but if they don't crumble we are all going to have to admit once and for all they are a great side.
The possession figure was 'only' 64.4% (in terms of time with the ball), but still never thought I'd see Atletico register a figure that high. I rarely applaud playing to draw (or rather, "not lose") a game of football when the game result doesn't determine the tie result but on this occasion, it was a savvy move. An Atletico Madrid level move one might say. Drinkwater had a terrible game but the back 4 and Ndidi were decent. The problem in the return leg is that Atletico will probably score. They rarely score a bunch at a time, but they regularly score once. I don't see Leicester winning 3-1. I hope they do, flying the Prem flag, but it's unlikely. Said that a few times about Leicester before though so congrats on reaching the semis. Lol
@SteveHyland it's very unfair that the game didn't end 0-0. The second leg Leicester would be able to sit back again like this and play on the counter but for the ref robbing them.
@Ideas Referee always help these la liga teams, that was never a penalty.
All the trolls need to accept now that Leicester are quality. This should have been 0-0. Great performance by Leicester and Schmeichel barely had to do anything. The referee is literally the difference between the two sides and MOTM.
Refs today are unbelievably useless!
dsquib. way outside the box
@daddynooo Minutes later the ref didn't award Atleti a penalty for a foul inside a box though.
@hindy- Probably because he realised the penalty decision was incorrect. The damage was done by then though.
10-2 shots for Atletico, 3-0 on target, almost 70 % possession ( new record for Madrid ? ) . The result reflects kind of what is happening on the pitch ...
@neumi17 You're wrong by the way. Leicester had a few shots on target, but they were blocked. They had one blocked by the last defender in the box too.
@neumi17 Not really. 2 on target without the ghost penalty. This game should have been 0-0
Albrighton tried to stop a clear goal scoring opportunity by rugby tackling Griezmann just outside the box and taking a yellow and free kick. Instead conceded a penalty that probably shouldn't have been (where the contact occurred hard to see). Don't have much sympathy.
Atletico for the win. Goals from Griezmann/carrasco
Leti to win all day long. Home advantage simple. 2-0
Leicester can win tonight, maybe will score 2-1,3-1 or 3-2
5-1
Athletico need to lift the cup this season having lost 2 finals to their madrid rivals. don't see Leicester winning in madrid AM to win @ 4 - 0
end of the road for Leicester
This is so unpredictable to call. Altetico never dominate possession and Leicester you would think are going to park the bus for the majority of the game. Personally I'd pick +2 handicap Leicester. Hard to see many goals in this game
In my opinion Leicester will score a goal from outside the box - 60 % chances.
6:1 ...Leicester have no chance here,,,
Simeone to smash Snakespeare on Ranieri's behalf!
@albgunn nobody in Leicester where it matters cares about that, the owners are TRUSTED, Ranieri is a legend and the team is better off now.
Leicester here have met their masters of their actual game and noway in hell Leicester have a chance at Vincente Calderon at least. I see a comfortable 3/4:0 in this game!
Leicester need to massively park the bus. Two banks of 4 deep and have both strikers very deep in front of the central midfielders making it almost a 4-4-2-0/4-6-0. They need to park the bus and pray to get Vardy in behind the Atletico defence with fast counters. And pray that Schmeichel plays brilliantly. I don't think Atletico's front two is that suited to playing against a park the bus team, or Atletico in general for that matter. Leicester can surprise some and be competitive if they keep their nerve and keep their heads. To successfully use this strategy I suggest not committing too many fouls either as it will break defensive rhythm. The template team is really the only option for Leicester and the obvious weak link is Benalouane. If Benalouane has a bad game I expect Atletico to score at least 4. If he plays well then Leicester can be competitive if they keep 11 men on the pitch. I think 2-0 is likely, if Leicester panic they may lose 4-1 or 5-1
@Ideas Atletico can make ANYONE have the majority of the ball. In their last ten games they averaged 43,3% possession, while in all last four they didn't even hit 40% mark.
@hindy I'm not sure they will do that against Leicester though will they? They are better man for man in every position on the pitch. Lot's of teams play possession football in La Liga. If you are the better passing team you want to control the football as you can be defensive in possession of the ball and wear down the opposition. You may be right though, Atletico may try to trick Leicester into having more possession and tear them apart on the counter. If Leicester are wise to it they will just try to kill time in the game by keeping the ball and keeping men back
@Ideas- Almost. Mahrez and Vardy are clearly better than Carrasco and Torres but the rest is in Atletico's favour by a fair bit. Having said that, wasn't that exactly the case for Leicester versus all of the top 6 in the prem last season? Only Arsenal did the double over them. Leciester are simply a true team and they need to play as the whole to qualify but it is possible. Highly improbable but more possible than the odds of Barca getting through after the 1st leg in the previous round. Leciester need to keep this within 2 though. It looks as though they are parking the whole fleet of busses, 12 minutes in.
@Ideas To get anything from the game really Leicester need Schmeichel to have a great game and they need to grab an early goal somehow with a fast Vardy break. I think Leicester need to try to draw this game 0-0 and forget about the away goal. I say try, because to do it they need to offer a counter attack threat or they will get pummeled. This will be an interesting encounter. Fully expect Leicester to crumble, but if they don't crumble we are all going to have to admit once and for all they are a great side.
3-1 fair enough
just bury the dead foxes. Put them out of misery.
Atletico will destroy Leicester. At least a 4 goal aggregate margin for Atletico.
@What4 Your predictions lately have not been good.
The end of Leicester journey i guess. Thanks for showing us the beautiful story and teach us that anything can happen in football.
@Vellicahearst Don't count them out...