Atletico Madrid entertain Olympiacos in the Vicente Calderon Stadium on Wednesday night knowing that a win will see last season's beaten finalists assure their place in the knockout stage of this year's competition.

Atletico lead group A on nine points with three wins from four matches, while Olympiacos and Juventus are both on six points, so while a win would assure Atletico's progress, a defeat would leave mean they would have to avoid defeat in Italy in the final group match.

Mario Mandzukic is fit to lead the Atletico attack after suffering a slight back injury during Saturday's 3-1 win at home to Malaga, but defender Joao Miranda looks as if he could miss out once again as the result of a hamstring injury.

Atletico will be aware that Olympiacos beat them in the opening game of the group and the club has a decidedly Spanish flavor, being coached by former Real Madrid boss Michel Gonzalez and with former Atletico Madrid goalkeeper, Roberto Jimenez in goal.

Roberto returns to the Calderon, where he spent nine years of his career, but struggled to make an impact in the Atletico first team, but he has been in magnificent form for Olympiacos, admitting it will be a special occasion and that he holds Atletico "in his heart."

The home side will meanwhile look to exploit their usual effectiveness from set pieces, which have brought them more goals than anyone in Spain this season, but Simeone will also look to the creativity of midfielder Koke (Jorge Resurrection) and winger Arda Turam, who between them have provided the assists on 10 of Atletico's 19 league goals this campaign.

While Atletico are playing for their Champions League future in the Vicente Calderon, Real Madrid play away to Basel, knowing their place in the last 16 is already assured.

The most interesting things from Real's point of view will be to see if Cristiano Ronaldo can score the goals to make him the top all time scorer in the tournament. At the moment, Ronaldo is one goal behind Leo Messi (who has the chance to add to his tally on Tuesday in Nicosia) and former Real Madrid legend, Raul Gonzalez.

Carlo Ancelotti will rotate his squad for the game, but should beware of a Basel side who will also reach the knockout stages with a win. Endi

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)