Atletico Madrid 1-1 (3-1 on pens) Arsenal
We have to remember that at the end of the day, the ICC 2018 is nothing more than a glorified friendly that was played in front of an adoring Singapore crowd. The games played in this tournament matter little in the domestic and European campaigns these squads will participate in once August comes rolling around.
However, that doesn’t mean that Atletico Madrid and Arsenal won’t be trying to vie for the win. Both squads feature some of the world’s best footballers, and these men want nothing less than a victory. Not only will the win help them in their preseason form, it will also give them additional confidence as the season comes rolling in.
This is also the first real preseason test for the Gunners under new head coach Unai Emery. The former PSG gaffer is put under a microscope as Arsenal fans hope that the Spaniard will blow away the winds of misfortune that has loomed over the Emirates for the past couple of seasons.
However, it’s Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid who had the last laugh as they overcame Arsenal in an entertaining penalty shootout. However, the shootout had a different quality to that of Manchester United’s.
Highlights of the game
The first noticeable difference that fans will observe is the formation Emery used for this friendly. Gone is the three-in-the-back formation that Wenger used to try and follow the Premier League trends started by the now-ousted Antonio Conte.
The Gunners started with a 4-2-3-1 with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang on the left and Alexandre Lacazette being the lone striker. Hector Bellerin and Sead Kolasinac were looked upon for width from the back as Aubameyang drifts inside and Reiss Nelson provided support. The tactic adheres to the philosophy Emery used at PSG and Sevilla.
It didn’t take long before the Gunners tried their hand at the attack and boosted the confidence of fans who picked them in Atletico Madrid vs Arsenal betting tips. Both Aubameyang and Lacazette attempted to test Jan Oblak early in the game. However, Atleti’s defence and Oblak’s goalkeeping skills stopped an early goal from happening.
Arsenal had several good chances to go ahead, but it was Luciano Vietto who showed up for Los Colchoneros. A beautiful cross from Angel Correa went straight to Vietto’s head amidst a sea of Arsenal shirts and powerfully headed it past new keeper Bernd Leno. The 24-year-old Spaniard ended the first half with the Gunners comfortably up front.
However, the lead won’t extend past five minutes into the second half. Emile Smith Rowe, the 17-year-old who was given a nod by Emery, paid his manager with a wonderful strike of his own. He made his own space on the pitch and made a powerful right-footed strike to the top bins. Not even a keeper of Oblak’s quality could stop such a beauty.
However, that would be the last time Singapore’s National Stadium would see any goal. Both sides made mass substitutions. Atletico Madrid almost scored in the 58th minute as the Arsenal defence struggled to clear the ball. Vietto powered a strike at point-blank range only for substitute Petr Cech to make a beautiful save.
When it was clear that neither side would be able to score in the final minutes of the match, the fans anticipated a penalty shootout to happen. Both Cech and Alberto Adan pulled off superb saves, but Atletico Madrid managed to convert more of their attempts from the spots. In a funny twist, Adan got one over his opponent with a powerful shot in the middle.
Hands were shaken between players and staff for a good game that is an instant inclusion in ICC 2018 highlights. Atletico Madrid played somewhat well without their World Cup champion in Griezmann, and Arsenal fans definitely have something to be excited about for the coming Premier League season.
Key statistics
Arsenal fans were definitely not used to seeing the Gunners playing such an exciting brand of football, but it’s definitely a welcome change. Arsenal had 61% of ball possession. They also made the most with their possession by shooting towards the ball 14 times, with six of those on target.
However, a sign of worry for Arsenal fans would be the four offsides Atletico Madrid committed. Sure, the Gunners’ backline played good defence, but a player of Griezmann’s quality could easily beat Emery’s high defensive lines.
Today’s round of ICC games saw three penalty shootouts happen, with the Atletico Madrid-Arsenal game being the least dramatic. This game converted four penalties across both sides, less than half of what the Milan-Man United and the Dortmund-Benfica games scored.
What’s next?
Both sides will be facing PSG in their next matches, but the SBOBET predictions for these two matches are far from each other.
Atletico Madrid are a more established team and will definitely be able to strike some hits at Les Parisiens. Meanwhile, Emery’s teachings are still familiar to the Ligue 1 champions and will be able to put on a proper resistance against his new club.
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