Tottenham to face Atletico Madrid – Everything fans need to know after Champions League draw
Tottenham will face Spanish giants Atletico Madrid in the Champions League last 16.
It has been a dismal domestic season for Spurs, with Igor Tudor’s side sitting 16th in the Premier League after a poor run under Thomas Frank.
Though as was the case in the Europa League last term, Tottenham have shone on the continental stage, with a fourth-place league phase finish securing a direct path to the round of 16.
With the draw completed on Friday morning, the Lilywhites found out that they will face Atletico Madrid over two legs as they go head to head for a place in the quarter-finals.
Diego Simeone‘s side sit fourth in La Liga, and secured their progression to the last 16 via a 7-4 aggregate victory against Club Brugge.
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Tottenham to face Altetico Madrid – How are they fairing in Spain?
It has been a relatively under-par season for Atletico Madrid this term. Los Colchoneros sit fourth in the standings, and have made no real impression in Europe, with Simeone’s side finishing 14th in the Champions League league phase.
The biggest scalp this season came in the Copa del Rey, with Atleti stunning Barcelona with a 4-0 semi-final first leg win, with the second leg set to take place next Tuesday.
With Basque rivals Real Sociedad and Athletic Club playing out the corresponding semi-final, Atleti remain the competition favourites.
As expected with a Simeone side, Atleti have a rock-solid backline, having conceded just 23 league goals thus far – only bettered by Real Madrid’s record of 21.
Contrasting the stereotypical ‘Spanish’ way of playing, they are not expected to simply rely on possession against Spurs, with Los Colchoneros registering up the most accurate long balls per match in La Liga, with 27.8 – making them the most successfully direct side in the division.
Uncharacteristically in Europe, though, Atleti stumbled defensively, having conceded 19 times compared to just seven for Tottenham.
In a knockout tie, though, it is hard to ever write off Atletico Madrid, who are likely to frustrate Spurs over two legs.
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Key information supporters should know ahead of Atletico Madrid tie
Following the introduction of the new Champions League format last term, Tottenham now know which route they would have to take if they were to reach the final in Budapest.
After the draw, Tottenham’s side of the bracket sees them face either Newcastle or Barcelona should they progress to the quarter-finals, while a knockout clash against Arsenal is also possible at the semi-final stage, should Spurs’ North London rivals overcome Bayer Leverkusen, and the winner of Bodo/Glimt vs Sporting.
Looking to make a real dent in the competition for the first time since the 2018-19 campaign, progression in the Champions League could provide a helpful distraction alongside the Premier League.
Due to Spurs’ top-eight finish, they will have the home advantage heading into the second leg, though they will have to be careful in the opening tie at the Metropolitano.
Last-16 matches are set to take place on 10-11 March, before the respective second leg clashes on 17-18 March.
In the meantime, Spurs are looking to get back to winning ways in the Premier League after the devastating 4-1 North London derby defeat last time out.
Tudor’s men are in action on Sunday against Fulham at Craven Cottage, before they host Crystal Palace on Thursday.
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