The Daly Brief | Spurs vs Atletico Madrid, UEFA Champions League | OneFootball

"Spurs have a task tonight, but the draw at Liverpool is a reminder of the team’s character and quality. Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, should be fresh, after rotating in the league..."

Rob Daly, official club commentator, presenter and pundit

Atleti's weekend

Diego Simeone’s side come into this second leg after a 1-0 weekend win over Getafe. The manager took a risk by changing 10 of the starting 11 from the first leg. Alexander Sorloth and Alex Baena led the attack, with Antoine Griezmann and Julian Alvarez, star players in the win over Spurs, used for 17 and 23 minutes respectively. The teamsheet was a reminder of the Rojiblancos’ squad depth, and they were still able to record a narrow victory – wing-back Nahuel Molina scoring a screamer from 30 yards out to win the game. An edgy victory, despite a number of a first half chances, and while the gamble paid off to rotate the team, one crucial player didn’t feature due to injury.

Oblak out of Getafe game

Atletico confirmed their long-standing first choice goalkeeper Jan Oblak felt a pain in his side in Friday training and missed out due to a ‘muscle strain’. Despite the margin of their first leg win in Madrid, Oblak was crucial in keeping Spurs out. Juan Musso, twice-capped by Argentina, came in and made pivotal second half saves against Getafe, including one deep into added-time – to earn the victory. Having been widely praised for that performance, the back-up keeper should be full of confidence ahead of, potentially, just a second Champions League appearance for Atletico tonight.

Can Spurs turn this around?

The magnitude of Spurs’ mission tonight is undeniable – overturning a tie with a three-goal deficit against one of Europe’s best. Not only that, but Atletico are Champions League knock-out regulars that have won seven of their last 11 Round of 16 ties. But while they’re known for having been defensively resolute for much of Simeone’s reign, especially the golden era sides that reached the 2014 and 2016 finals, they are more likely to concede in this incarnation. For example, in their recent Copa del Rey win over Barcelona, the Madrid side secured a 4-0 first leg home win – but lost the second leg of that semi-final 3-0.

Who will start for Spurs?

Richarlison was excellent at Anfield but, unfortunately, he's suspended for this second leg after picking up three yellow cards. Dominic Solanke is also a doubt. Randal Kolo Muani came off the bench to supply the Richy's equaliser at Anfield and Mathys Tel showed industry and drive to make something happen down the left against the Reds. Micky van de Ven’s ban was served in that game, and while Sunday starter Souza is ineligible, the overall first team squad should be in better shape tonight.

A change in formation?

Igor Tudor has used a variety of systems, although his hand was forced at the weekend when Conor Gallagher was confirmed as unavailable. “We were preparing one training session with Conor in the middle, and other solutions, but we needed to change today, so it was a system, it was a team put in without training, let's say, two, three positions were change.” Regardless, Archie Gray and Pape Matar Sarr are forming a solid pairing right now. “I like them very much in the Atletico game as well, in the middle,” explained Tudor. “They have both things, good energy, running, even quality. I would like to have this consistency with the team.”