Diego Simeone and Atlético Madrid have a simple mission on Wednesday: Payback Olympiakos for their match day one defeat and secure a place in the knockout round. A win by Atléti over the Greek side would accomplish that mission and considering Olympiakos have never won in Spain, they have to be feeling a little bit confident.
Atlético Madrid vs. Olympiakos, 2014 UEFA Champions League: Time, TV schedule and game preview
Los Colchoneros can claim a point in the knockout round with a win.
Atléti will also be confident because of their excellent recent form. After a rough start to the season that saw the Colchoneros stumble in both the league and Champions League, Simeone’s side have turned it around, getting back in the title race and surging to the top of Group A. Since their 3-2 loss to Olympiakos, Atléti haven’t conceded a goal in group play and have taken maximum points from the last three games.
When you consider the fact that Atléti were having to integrate a new striker, new goalkeeper and new fullback into a system that requires everyone to know and do their job, the fact it took them a month or so to get going makes sense.
On the injury front, Atléti defender João Miranda has not recovered from a hamstring injury suffered on international duty, while striker Mario Mandzukic is listed as doubtful with an unspecified issue.
Atlético Madrid injuries and suspensions
Out: João Miranda (hamstring). In Doubt: Mario Mandzukic (unspecified).
Olympiakos injuries and suspensions
Out: Jimmy Durmaz (thigh), Kostas Giannoulis (stomach). In Doubt: Giannis Maniatis (ankle).
Venue: Estadio Vincente Calderon, Madrid, Spain
TV: DirecTV, FOX Soccer Plus (U.S.), Sky Sports Red Button (U.K.)
Online: FOX Soccer 2Go, ESPN3 (U.S.), Sportsnet World Now (Canada), SkyGo (U.K.)
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