Diego Simeone’s tactical changes saw Atletico Madrid regain control against Arsenal at the Metropolitano Stadium. His switch to a back five at half-time baffled the visitors. However, his match analysis focused on another factor.
“I think you could see some of the fatigue that they had accumulated from so many games, so much pressure and the responsibility of having to win the Premier League and the Champions League,” the manager said at the post-match press conference.
“All of those things added up. And in the second half, especially in the final third, we started to play better. We created more chances. We just couldn’t get the goals that gave us the upper hand.”
Clearly, he factored that physical and mental fatigue into his game plans. Of course, Victor Gokeres’ penalty solved the problem. However, the difference in Atlético’s strength after half-time was clear. They tried to overwhelm their tired opponents.
It may come as no surprise that Arsenal are on the verge of collapse. The total of 57 games they have played this season is the most of any team in Europe’s major leagues, and they have another very important game on Saturday against Fulham.
Atlético have played the second most games so far, with 55 appearances. However, they finished fourth in La Liga, and although they were safe enough to qualify for the Champions League, they were far from challenging for the title, and the importance of league matches had long waned. They were able to conserve energy.
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Of course, Arsenal have no intention of swapping positions. But saving energy was not an option for them. Instead, they are pushed to their limits. Three players have played 4,000 minutes in David Raya, Martin Zvimendi and Declan Rice.
The sheer effort they put into the campaign contributed to Mikel Arteta’s fury over the penalty being overturned.
“We’ve been fighting hard to stay in this position for nine and a half months and this is another goal that completely changes the situation,” he said after the match. “That can’t happen. I’m sorry. We spent so much on this. And so, so much. That can’t happen.”
Had this penalty stood, Arsenal could have secured a famous victory. However, it was mainly thanks to their warrior spirit that they escaped defeat. Atlético’s pressure was relentless from the start of the second half. However, Arsenal rose to the challenge and confirmed that Julian Alvarez’s penalty was the only offence.
Their determination to persevere was summed up by Piero Hincapie, who won all five duels he entered and made almost as many interceptions as the rest of the team combined. That was also evident in William Saliba and Gabriel, who made more than twice as many clearances as all the other players on the pitch combined.
Arsenal have played more games in Europe’s top leagues this season than any other team.
In fact, it can be seen throughout the team. In the first half, when Ademola Lookman broke free on the left side of the box, it was Noni Madueke who stepped back and intervened. Gabriel Martinelli showed similar defensive zeal on the opposite flank.
Arteta added: “I’m very proud.” “I said to the players that the way we have handled this situation for nine and a half months is amazing. I’ve seen some of the best teams in the world collapse here and concede three or four goals, so I really appreciate what they’ve done.”
The nine-goal thriller between Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich highlighted the attacking prowess of the other semi-finalists. However, Arsenal’s defense is their strength. They have conceded just six goals in 13 games in the Champions League this season.
It’s natural to wonder if they rely on that defense too easily. However, Arteta will insist that this was done out of necessity, primarily due to the demands of a knockout game like this one, or in response to the injury problems that have affected many of his attacking players during the season.
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Sky Sports’ Dharmesh Sheth and Nick Wright look at the reaction in the Spanish press to the Champions League match between Atletico Madrid and Arsenal.
In that regard, the impact of the substitutes against Atlético Madrid will be encouraging.
Kai Havertz and Julian Timber remain sidelined, but Bukayo Saka, Ebelesi Eze, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus and Cristian Mosquera all came on late to help Arsenal regain control of the game.
Asked if their contribution would allow Atletico’s title favorites to advance from next week’s second leg given Arsenal’s tight schedule, Simeone shook his head.
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Sky Sports’ Dharmesh Sheth is in Madrid to collect the reaction to Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Atletico in the Champions League.
“No, no,” he said. “Did you see the five players they brought in? Every time I did that, I said, ‘Really?'” Yes, really, because they’re very good. They have enough depth to compete the way they are. Otherwise they wouldn’t be, right?
“They have won 10 games in the Champions League, drawn three and have not lost a game. In the Premier League, they are fighting for wins from the first day of the season. We are playing against a great team.”
For Arsenal to be considered truly great, they need to finish this epic season with a silver medal. But first, Fulham. A quick progression from one very important match to the next, and the fight against fatigue and upcoming opponents.
Watch Saturday Night Football Arsenal vs Fulham live on Sky Sports from 5pm. 5:30pm kickoff
