Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid will have to win big against Botafogo if they want to avoid an early exit from the FIFA Club World Cup. While they did bounce back in Matchday 2, the Spanish giants still need to dig deep to progress further.
Atletico Madrid suffered a massive 4-0 defeat at the hands of PSG in their opening fixture. While Los Rojiblancos did get things back on track with a 3-1 win over Seattle Sounders, they are third in the group behind PSG and leaders Botafogo heading into the final matchday.
As a result, Diego Simeone’s men not only need to secure all three points but also need to ensure a superior goal difference to make it to the knockouts. If PSG win their game against the team from Seattle, Atletico Madrid will have to ensure they win by three goals against Botafogo.
Meanwhile, Botafogo have enjoyed a fantastic start to the global event. They secured a 2-1 win over Seattle Sounders before scripting a historic 1-0 win over UEFA Champions League winners PSG. With six points in their two outings, they are in full control of their future.
Botafogo can secure a spot in the next round with just a draw, having done exceptionally well so far in the group of death. Even if the Brazilian outfit fail to secure a point, they will go through as long as they avoid a defeat with a three-goal deficit. The Hard Tackle takes a close look at both teams and tries to predict the tactics they could deploy.
Clement Lenglet is back available again after serving a suspension, but he is unlikely to break into the XI. Antoine Griezmann coming back into the starting lineup might be the only change that Diego Simeone makes to the team that started in their last outing.
They will stick to the 4-4-2 formation, where Jan Oblak will be in goal. Nahuel Molina and Javi Galan should be the full-backs, with Robin Le Normand starting alongside Jose Gimenez in the heart of the defence.
In the centre of the park, Giuliano Simeone and Pablo Barrios should feature on the flanks. Meanwhile, veteran star Koke will start alongside Rodrigo De Paul in the middle of the park. The duo will look to control the tempo and ensure they have the majority of the ball.
Atletico Madrid will have to score at least thrice on Monday, which is why Diego Simeone is expected to pair Griezmann with Julian Alvarez in the final third against Botafogo on Monday.
Probable Lineup (4-4-2): Oblak; Molina, Le Normand, Gimenez, Galan; Simeone, De Paul, Koke, Barrios; Griezmann, Alvarez
The Brazilian outfit do not have any fresh injury concerns, and they will stick with a similar XI to the one that started in their last win as they look to book a place in the knockout phase.
Botafogo will line up in a 4-3-3 formation, where John will be in goal. Vitinho and Alex Telles should be the full-backs, with Jair Cunha and Alexander Barboza featuring in the heart of the defence. Just like in the game against PSG, the back four will be hoping for another hard-earned clean sheet.
In the centre of the park, Allan will start alongside Gregore and Marlon Freitas. They will have a lot of defending to do, but will look to ensure Atletico midfielders do not dominate the ball too deep in their half.
Artur and Jefferson Savarino will feature on the flanks, providing much-needed width to their attacks. Meanwhile, the highly sought-after Igor Jesus will lead the line for Botafogo against Atletico Madrid on Monday.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): John; Vitinho, Cunha, Barboza, Telles; Gregore, Allan, Freitas; Artur, Jesus, Savarino
Alvarez has enjoyed an exceptional debut campaign at Atletico Madrid, registering 29 goals and seven assists in 54 appearances. The Argentine international has averaged a goal every 127 minutes, but he is yet to find the back of the net in the Club World Cup.
Atletico Madrid will be in desperate need of goals when they face Botafogo, and only a win by a three-goal margin can keep their hopes alive. As a result, all eyes will be on Alvarez, and he certainly has the quality to deliver and take his team through.
Atletico Madrid will throw everything they have at Botafogo in this high-stakes encounter, knowing that only a win and a big one will do. Diego Simeone’s men looked much sharper in their 3-1 win over Seattle Sounders and will take confidence from that performance into this crucial fixture.
While the Spanish giants are expected to push hard, breaking down the Brazilian outfit certainly won’t be easy. Meanwhile, Botafogo will be content to sit back and absorb pressure, knowing a draw or even a narrow defeat would be enough to take them through.
It will certainly be a closely fought encounter, but Atletico Madrid might manage to find the back of the net. However, it still might not be enough to take them through. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-0 win for the Spanish giants.
