ATLAtletiClub page
FCBBayernClub page
Squad value€703.5m
Squad value€1.04bn
Key playerÁlex Baena
Key playerMichael Olise
Head coachDiego Simeone
Head coachVincent Kompany
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Live on RTÉ, Premier Sports or Virgin Media · Ireland
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Live on Ziggo Sport · Netherlands
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Live on Paramount+, TUDN or DAZN · USA
Atleti mark man for man high up; Bayern still want the ball and pass their way through.
“Atlético applied man-to-man marking high up the pitch, denying Sociedad's defenders and particularly Remiro the time and space required to execute Matarazzo's desired vertical, direct approach.”Tactical Football Analysis, 15 Sep 2026
“Der Ansatz unter Kompany dürfte auch in dieser Spielzeit wieder lauten: hohes, intensives Pressing mit starker Mannorientierung, um das Spiel in der gegnerischen Hälfte zu halten, kombiniert mit druckvollem Kombinationsspiel im Ballbesitz, das die individuellen Qualitäten der Offensivspieler zur Geltung bringen soll.”Kompany's approach this season should again be high, intense pressing with strong man-marking to keep the game in the opponent's half, combined with forceful combination play in possession that brings out the attackers' individual qualities. our translation
“Gegen Jeju SK dominierte Bayern den Ballbesitz, stellte aber wiederholt fest, dass Ballbesitz und Kontrolle darüber, was nach Ballverlust passiert, nicht zwangsläufig dasselbe sind.”Against Jeju SK Bayern dominated possession, but found repeatedly that having the ball and controlling what happens after losing it are not necessarily the same thing. our translation
Bayern hunt the ball right up by the goalkeeper, sometimes four on the last defender, and this Atleti press high rather than sit and scrap. Little time on the ball for anyone.
“El dibujo puede parecer un 4-4-2, un 4-2-3-1 o incluso un 3-5-2 dependiendo del momento del partido, pero la idea es clara: presión alta, salida de balón mucho más limpia y libertad para que Barrios, Baena y Kang-In generen ventajas cerca del área rival.”The shape can look like a 4-4-2, a 4-2-3-1 or even a 3-5-2 depending on the moment, but the idea is clear: high pressing, much cleaner build-up, and freedom for Barrios, Baena and Kang-in to create advantages near the opposition box. our translation
“Bayern pressed the Europa League winners high and sometimes pushed four attackers onto Villa’s last line.”At times three of Bayern's back four are up in the other half. When Atleti win it, Giuliano Simeone runs straight into that space.
“Giuliano Simeone adquiría libertad para atacar el espacio, los laterales podían ganar metros y el equipo aceleraba de repente.”Giuliano Simeone was free to attack the space, the full-backs could push on, and the team suddenly accelerated. our translation
“Knacken kann man dieses Pressing nur, wenn man den Mut, das Tempo und die spielerische Qualität hat, um trotzdem genau in die Regionen zu spielen, in denen die Bayern ein solches Risiko eingehen.”You can only crack this pressing if you have the courage, the speed and the technical quality to play into exactly those areas where Bayern are taking such a risk. our translation
Too close to call.
Expect chances at both ends.
They let you have the ball at the back, then trap you when you try to play it forward.
“El bloque del Atlético conducía así la pelota hacia una especie de jaula (abajo), en la que permitía al Real Madrid iniciar, pero le impedía acelerar allí donde se encontraban sus futbolistas más desequilibrantes.”Atlético's block steered the ball into a kind of cage, letting Real Madrid start their build-up but stopping them from speeding up where their most dangerous players were. our translation
Against the big sides they can wait in a tight shape and push you out wide.
“El Atlético podía esperar, cerrar espacios y obligar al Madrid a jugar por fuera, mientras sus propios futbolistas mantenían distancias cortas.”Atlético could wait, close the spaces and force Madrid to play round the outside, while their own players kept the distances between them short. our translation
Pundits are split on whether they want the ball: some say they want to keep it, others that they are happy to let you have it.
“Once known for their defensive compactness and resistance, Atletico Madrid are now transitioning to a team that maintains possession for longer spells.”“Simeone, en cambio, consiguió que el Atlético no necesitara dominar permanentemente la posesión para controlar el encuentro.”Simeone, on the other hand, managed things so that Atlético did not need to dominate possession all the time to control the game. our translation
The one way to hurt them: get past that first wave of pressure and run straight at the defence. Bayern commit so many players forward that the space behind them is enormous.
“When opponents escape the first challenge and attack the back line with runners, the enormous spaces produced by Bayern’s aggressive positioning become considerably less comfortable.”Even in pre-season they pressed high with four players up against the opposition defence.
“Bayern presste den Europa-League-Sieger hoch und schob zeitweise vier Angreifer auf Villas letzte Linie.”Bayern pressed the Europa League winners high and at times pushed four attackers onto Villa's back line. our translation