Atlético fulfilled the first part of the planned plan in its tie against Borussia. During the first part of the Metropolitano meeting. Even until the 70th minute, as Simeone explained, the advantage was clearly on the red and white side. What happened? Two facts that are explained together. He Dortmund started to carbure thanks to Julian Brandt. Terzic corrected the error of not granting him ownership. At the same time, the locals began to make mistakes when releasing the ball. The most critical were charged to Rodrigo de Paul’s accountwho had inaugurated the scoreboard.
Brandt, the ‘wonderkid’ who shines again
The German and the Argentine will be fundamental in the management of a return duel (9:00 p.m.) that will have micro-stories, as in the first round. Mastering one may be enough. Dortmund was about to ruin all of Atlético’s work with an overwhelming finish. Brandt filtered a pass for Haller to close the gap in the 81st minute. The forward will not be in the match due to injury. Just before the final whistle, The same pivot connected with a header that hit the crossbar to make it 2-1..
Why was the German midfielder a substitute? It is something that the Borusser fan is still thinking about. In an irregular season, full of ups and downs, the former ‘wonderkid’ is the man who gives meaning to the game. “most intense team of the Champions”, according to the definition of the ‘Cholo’. The responsibility lies with Brandt, who has put Dortmund on his back after the departure of Jude Bellingham. His name, at 27 years old, is ringing again, although not as loud as five years ago, when Real Madrid wanted to incorporate him.
In 2019 he was part of Bayer Leverkusen and played as a left winger. Or as a midfielder thrown to the side. It was a hybrid profile that worked in Petr Bosz’s 4-3-3. He achieved double figures in goals and assists. In fact, he starred in an iconic moment in Atlético’s recent history. The “what a stoppage by Oblak”, the triple hand of the Slovenian against the ‘aspirin team’ in the 2017 Champions League round of 16.
The performance was well above the 25 million euros, the clause that Leverkusen paid that same year. It took him a while to adapt to Lucien Favre’s Borussia, until the Swiss opted for a 3-4-2-1, where Brandt found an ally with whom he grew up and against whom he will face again today: Axel Witsel, the spy of this tie.
Julian Brandt, Borussia Dortmund player, before the duel against Atlético. / BERND THISSEN / AP
Terzic reduces the euphoria about the ‘Yellow Wall’
Brandt has not had an easy path in the elite. He has forgotten and learned tools based on schemes and techniques to be one of the most complete midfielders in Europe. Where he performs the most is in the last pass, although he can also play at the base of the play. He has arrival and goal, which always gives him outstanding figures. Even in a season where Borussia is fighting to enter the Champions League, Brandt has eight goals and 14 assists among all competitions.
Aware of the key role he will have against Atlético at Signal Iduna Park, Terzic wanted Brandt to be his teammate in the preview. “I would always like the atmosphere here in Dortmund. It’s something unique. You don’t need to think if the fans support you, because they never fail. A few years ago against Inter we were 0-2 and in the stadium there was an energetic turnaround Thanks to the fans who allowed us to come back. I will never forget it,” reflected the midfielder.
Rodrigo de Paul is not afraid – in fact he is motivated – by the atmosphere of the ‘Yellow Wall’, the vertical wall of 25,000 fans that has seen its power diminished this season. Up to eight teams have taken something positive from their visits to the Westfalenstadion. “We are going to find a team that will come out with everything,” Simeone warned in the previous press conference.
Although Terzic reduced the euphoria on a mythologized stand. “It’s definitely one of the best places in the world. We want to take advantage of it, but we need a great performance. It wasn’t easy playing against Atlético on their field either. They took advantage, although we had a good result,” said the German coach, while Witsel, who played for Borussia, said that “the atmosphere in Dortmund will be very similar to ours: hot.”
The noise outside of football that affects Rodrigo de Paul
Concentration will be an argument to be worked on by both contenders. For Rodrigo de Paul it is the difference between excellence and the mediocrity through which the world champion sometimes wanders. The Argentine arrives in a great moment of form. He showed it with the initial push in the Champions League first leg. His symbiosis with Antoine Griezmann has helped him advance in a club where the pivot that Simeone demanded never arrived.
According to the latest CIES Football study, De Paul is the midfielder who has the highest chance creation rate. He is calculated by adding assists, clear chances or passes that break the defensive line. He surpasses players like Martin Odegaard (Arsenal), Frenkie de Jong (Barcelona), Luis Alberto (Lazio) or Harvey Elliot (Liverpool). Although Simeone demands the best version of him before each big date.
The problem with De Paul is the personal noise that surrounds him. After the match against Girona, the Argentine sent a message of support to Tini Stoessel, his ex-girlfriend, after the accusations he received from his ex-wife, Camila Homs. Various media reported that the singer began dating the player when the model was pregnant. The Atlético player was not good at the Giuseppe Meazza and not against Barcelona either, That’s why the first leg of the quarterfinals was a turning point.
Rodrigo de Paul, during the last Atlético – Girona League match. / Kiko Huesca/EFE
The important loss of Lino and the return of Hermoso
To qualify for the semi-finals, Simeone will not be able to count on Samuel Lino due to suspension. A noticeable drop. Beyond Griezmann, the winger was the most outstanding in the Metropolitano. Not only because of his goal, but also the offensive contribution that he has to make up for César Azpilicueta, with which the Argentine has rehearsed. He will move from the back line to the wing.
Mario Hermoso is the novelty of a call that will be supported by 4,000 spectators, the largest displacement beyond the finals. On the list of 22 players is Saúl Ñíguez, who has recovered from an ankle injury. Memphis Depay and Thomas Lemar will not be there due to injury.
For his part, Terzic will not have the side Ramy Bensebaini not even with the forward Sebastien Haller, scorer of the goal in Madrid, both injured. Niclas Füllkrug, canceled at the Metropolitano, points to another new ownership. The alternative is Youssufa Moukoko. They are the assets with which Dortmund will try to make Atlético lose control in a match and emotional scenario where the brain will compensate for the lack of muscle.
TECHNICAL SHEET BORUSSIA – ATLÉTICO
Borussia Dortmund: Kobel; Ryerson, Hummels, Schlotterbeck, Maatsen; Emre Can; Sabitzer, Brandt; Malen, Sancho y Füllkrug.
Atletico: Oblak; Molina, Witsel, Giménez, Hermoso, Azpilicueta; Llorente, Koke, De Paul; Griezmann, and Morata.
Referee: Slavko Vincic (Slovenia).
Estadio: Signal Iduna Park de Dortmund.
Hour: 21:00.
TV: Movistar Champions League 2
2024-04-16 05:46:27
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