Atletico look a good bet to win the whole thing
With Bayern Munich knocked out of the competition and Barcelona staring down the barrel as well, this season could be one of the best chances in recent history for Atletico Madrid to win it.
Losing finalists in 2014 and 2016 – both to fierce rivals Real Madrid – Diego Simeone’s side looked like the complete package as they saw off a spirited Leicester City outfit on Tuesday evening.
Organised in defence and explosive in attack, Atletico have all of the resources at their disposal needed to be successful in Europe’s toughest competition; now they need to take the opportunity.
The La Liga side are technically brilliant in all areas of the pitch, from the knowledge of when to press a side and when to drop deep to the innate understanding that all the players have of each other.
Add to this some world-class individuals in the shape of Antoine Griezmann and Diego Godin and there’s no team left in the competition that Atletico should fear; they finished above Bayern Munich in the group stage and have only conceded four times across nine Champions League matches all season.
Tactically, Simeone has got it spot on across the knock-out stages so far – particularly in the way they soaked up pressure against Leicester and countered – and he could mastermind something big.
Receive weekly football news and updates to your mailbox
