The Citizen (KZN)

Away-day blues haunting Atletico

FORTRESS AT HOME BUT DISASTER ON THE ROAD

- Madrid

When Atletico Madrid left their beloved Vicente Calderon in 2017, their biggest fear was whether they would be able to replicate the fierce atmosphere for which their fans are renowned at their new stadium, the Wanda Metropolit­ano.

They needn’t have worried, as they have earned the best home record in La Liga at their shiny new ground, but their title ambitions are being held back by their dismal away form.

In eight away visits this season, Diego Simeone’s side have only managed to win twice, a tally which, if they are to stay in touch with league leaders Barcelona, they need to improve when they travel to fellow title chasers Sevilla tomorrow.

Second-placed Atletico are three points behind Barca, while Sevilla are third, five points off the pace, making tomorrow’s game equally important to the Andalucian­s.

Barca meanwhile are in action away to Getafe, with Real Madrid hosting Real Sociedad.

Atletico’s memorable title triumph in 201/14 was built from a galvanisin­g 3-1 win at Sevilla on the opening day of the season, while they also enjoyed vital away victories at Real Madrid, Valencia and Athletic Bilbao.

However, this season Simeone’s side have dropped points at strugglers Villarreal and Leganes and lost at Celta Vigo.

With Diego Costa constantly battling injury problems – the striker is currently recovering from knee surgery – Atletico have been lacking some aggression and steel in attack.

“We know that to stay in the fight for the title we need to win games away from home, we need to be strong at home and pick up points away,” said captain Diego Godin last month after snapping a three-month wait for an away win by beating Real Valladolid 3-2.

Hopes of a successive away victory in Seville lie in Croatian forward Nikola Kalinic continuing to improve his form in front of goal, having scored twice in his last three appearance­s after a slow start to his first season in Spain.

World Cup-winning striker Antoine Griezmann, meanwhile, will be feeling fresh after the winter break following a gruelling 2018 which he conceded had taken its toll on his performanc­es.

Atletico will certainly need to summon all of their energy against an exciting Sevilla side who thrashed Real Madrid 3-0 earlier this season, as anything less than victory will make their New Year’s resolution of overhaulin­g Barca even harder.

 ?? Picture: Getty Images ?? DIEGO SIMEONE
Picture: Getty Images DIEGO SIMEONE

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