06 December 2021, 16:01 | 28 August 2021, 15:29
On UCL Matchday 6, FC Porto will face Atlético de Madrid in the hope of finishing second and qualifying for a place in the UEFA Champions League last-16. Slated for kick-off at 21:00 (GMT+1) on Tuesday, December 7 at the Estádio do Dragão, referee Clement Turpin (FRA) will be the man in the middle while Jérôme Brisard (FRA) will be the VAR.
Preview Porto Champions League, Dec 7, 2021
Preview Ahead of 3rd-placed AC Milan by a single point, 2nd-placed FC Porto have 5 points from 1W, 2D, & 2L, and are within touching distance of the last-16. However, they must win or pick up a draw while hoping that red-hot Liverpool defeat AC Milan on Tuesday to avoid a delicate scenario of permutations and combinations. Porto were added to Liverpool’s list of casualties following the 2-0 defeat in the reverse fixture on UCL MD5 at Anfield. Over the weekend, FC Porto smashed Portimonense S.C. to pieces in a 3-0 win in the Portuguese league, where they enjoy domestic dominance with five straight victories, WWWWW. On Tuesday, Sérgio Conceição will aim to stretch the domestic form over Atletico Madrid. The 47-year-old holds an impressive 71% win rate (170W, 37D, and 32L) after 239 games in the coaching seat for the Dragons. A 4—4—2 formation is expected from Conceição, with Mehdi Taremi and Evanilson in attack. Taremi has 2 goals so far in the UEFA Champions League, while Evanilson has yet to hit the back of the net in the star-studded arena of champions. Mateus Uribe is suspended, and if booked, Mbemba and Vitinha will miss the next game.
Preview Atlético Madrid Champions League, Dec 7, 2021
Preview Spanish champions Atletico Madrid continue to struggle both at home and on European soil. They return to the UEFA Champions League after Saturday’s shocking LaLiga 2-1 defeat to RCD Mallorca. ATM had held on to parity at 1-1, hoping to repeat the late show, as so often seen this season. But they were beaten at their own game as Mallorca’s Takefusa Kubo (90’+1) grabbed the winner in stoppage time. You have to win these games, Diego Simeone said in his post-match press conference. This result hurts us. That’s the reality. But we have to continue into the next game, which is essential for our Champions League place, he continued. Either you get depressed or you rebel, he added. Back on European soil, Atletico Madrid picked up a 1-0 defeat to AC Milan on UCL Matchday 5 and are left at the bottom of the group with 4 points from 1W, 1D, and 3L. Atlético must win and hope Liverpool defeats AC Milan to go through to the next stage. Diego Simeone could line up the 4—4—2 with Suarez and Antoine Griezmann in attack. Felipe is suspended, while if booked, João Félix, Kondogbia, and Luis Suárez will miss the next match.