Who: Arsenal vs Atletico Madrid
Contents: Champions League semi-final, second leg
Location: Emirates Stadium, London
Date and time: Tuesday 8pm (19:00 GMT)
How to follow: Get everything ready on Al Jazeera Sports from 16:00 GMT ahead of the live text commentary stream.
In the Champions League semi-final held in London, they faced Atlético, who hosted Arsenal at home, and the game was tied at 1-1 after a first leg in which the penalty shootout was won in the Spanish capital.
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Both players scored penalties, but Arsenal felt they should have been awarded a second penalty when Eberechi Eze was clipped in the box.
But Atlético showed there is no need to feel inferior as they head to the Emirates Stadium. Last week’s encounter at the Metropolitano Stadium favored Diego Simeone’s side, with Arsenal keeper David Raya being used far more than Atleti’s Jan Oblak.
The winner of this draw will face a tough match against either Paris Saint-Germain or Bayern Munich in the final on May 30th.
Saka brings life to Arsenal attack
Bukayo Saka’s return from injury has reinvigorated Arsenal’s attack, in time for the Gunners to dream of winning a Premier League and Champions League double.
Saka scored and provided an assist for Victor Gokeres as Mikel Arteta’s side beat Fulham 3-0 on Saturday, scoring three goals for the first time in 16 games.
All three goals came before Saka was sent off at half-time by Arteta to protect the England winger, who has been nursing an Achilles injury in recent months.
“He definitely made a difference. He made two moves that decided the game. We know what he’s capable of,” Arteta said.
“He came back at the most important time of the season and is fresh now.
“His mind is fresh, his hunger is at its highest possible level and I think he needed a performance like that to make an impact on the team. So it’s a big platform heading into Tuesday.”
Atlético aim to show ambition to Alvarez
For Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez, the implications of Tuesday’s semi-final against Arsenal may go beyond just booking a ticket to Budapest at the end of May.
The Argentine forward has been linked with a move to Arsenal and Spanish champions Barcelona, but has looked itchy at times in the Spanish capital.
Alvarez has recently dismissed those rumors, saying he wants to focus on his team’s chances of winning silver this year and, at least publicly, worried about his future after that.
“I try not to pay too much attention (to rumors). Every week something new, new information comes out and I don’t waste my energy on it,” Alvarez said before last week’s 1-1 first leg.
“Instead, we try to focus on what we’re doing. It’s the most important time of the season, so we want to stay in good shape to help the team and do well here.”
What are the managers saying?
Arteta: “We’re in an unbelievable position, in the semi-finals of the Champions League. We have to play in front of the people. It’s in our hands.”
Simeone: “You rarely see the kind of enthusiasm (of the fans) that we felt at the start (of the first leg). They won’t all be there for the second leg, but their heart and soul will be there.”
What are the players saying?
Striker Gokeres: “We know it’s going to be different playing at home with the fans. We just have to do our job and give our best and it’ll be a good game at home.”
Atleti forward Antoine Griezmann: “We played better in the second half[of the first leg]. We also played with more intensity. That’s the way to go and we’ll do that in the second leg as well. It’s going to be a great game.”
direct confrontation
The two clubs have only met four times so far, with one win each and two draws.
The previous encounter was former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger’s last European encounter before this season’s encounter.
Wednesday: Atlético Madrid 1-1 Arsenal (Champions League semi-final) October 21: Arsenal 4-0 Atlético Madrid (Champions League, league stage) May 3, 2018: Atlético Madrid 1-0 Arsenal (Europa League semi-final) April 26, 2018: Arsenal 1-1 Atlético Madrid (Europa League semi-final)
What happened the last time they played against each other?
Alvarez’s penalty saved Atletico Madrid from a 1-1 draw with Arsenal in a tense Champions League semi-final first leg match.
Gokeres gave the Premier League leaders the lead last Wednesday when he was fouled and given a penalty just before the interval, but Alvarez followed suit 10 minutes into the second half after receiving a handball from Ben White.
Arsenal were upset after David Hanko collided with Eze in the area and a penalty decision in the second half was overturned after a VAR review.
Have either teams ever won the European Cup/Champions League?
Neither team has ever been European champion.
Atlético reached the final in 2014 and 2016, but lost to arch-rivals Real Madrid both times.
Arsenal reached the final in 2006, but lost 2-1 to Barcelona.
arsenal team news
Julian Timber is still recovering from a groin injury, while Mikel Merino will be sidelined for some time after undergoing foot surgery.
However, Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz are both recovering from injuries and could be considered fit for this match.
Expected starting lineup:
Raya (goalkeeper); White, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie. Rice, Zubimendi. Saka, Eze, Trossard. Gokeres
Atlético team news
Alvarez limped off late in the first leg, but the problem does not appear to be serious and he is expected to start.
Pablo Barrios and Nico Gonzalez will be sidelined with thigh injuries, while Giuliano Simeone, Alexander Sorloth and Jose Jimenez will undergo fitness tests in the second half due to bruises.
Expected starting lineup:
Oblak (goalkeeper); Llorente, Pubil, Hanko, Ruggeri. Simeone, Koke, Cardoso, Lookman. Alvarez, Griezmann
