Simeone's defence to halt Ancelotti's perfect start at Bayern?
For all the plaudits that Pep Guardiola’s teams deservedly receives, Carlo Ancelotti's record breaking start at Bayern Munich has almost slipped under the radar. He has won each of his opening 8 fixtures with Bayern Munich - with his players scoring 27 and conceding just a single goal.
As ever, the Italian was gracious of his predecessor saying that “the team was well set, there wasn’t a lot to change. Guardiola has done some very good work, I think. This team has a very good quality of possession, and good quality in its transmissions. It’s not very difficult to coach this team, because they are used to playing in a certain way.” Of course that doesn’t mean he’s maintaining the status quo.
Ancelotti is employing a more direct approach, wanting the creative players such as Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery not just providing crosses but getting on the end of them. He wants “more players in the box”. It’s paying off with Ribery finding form again after an injury plagued season. In his five Bundesliga appearances this season he has scored twice and assisted a further five goals.
Although Diego Simeone can’t claim he’s got off to a perfect season like his counterpart, he’s not far of. His side are undefeated this term in all competitions and are just 2 points behind Real Madrid, who currently top the La Liga table. Once again they boast the meanest defence in the league conceding just twice in 6 games — at least 2 goals fewer than any other team.
With that in mind, there is certainly money to be made in this fixture courtesy of Bet365. New Bet365 customers receive a 100% deposit bonus. When you deposit £10 or more you will qualify for a matched amount to bet with, up to £200. Given the excellent markets on offer for this Champions League match up, you stand to win money from the match.
It’s in European competition that Simeone’s side have really shone. They have reached the final in two of the last three seasons, and were quarter-finalists in their 2014/15 campaign. They have kept a clean sheet in 12 of their last 13 home Champions League matches and have won 14 of their last 19 Group stage games (drawing three and losing just two). They also eliminated Bayern from last season’s competition on away goals.
Will Bayern’s players be looking to avenge last season’s semi-final heartache at the hands of their hosts? Midfielder Xabi Alonso claims they won’t be looking for revenge. He told Marca that “sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. That’s football. We couldn’t do it last year. They go to the final and we had to settle for watching it on television.”
Both Atletico and Bayern will feel confident in progressing to the knockout stages, but will both be desperate to top the group and avoid any unfavourable draws that could await them in February. Bayern sent out their message of intent early by putting five past Rostov in a game where they easily could have scored more.
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While Atletico and Bayern boast formidable attacking players, it’s unlikely the game will be as open and attacking as Real Madrid’s trip to Dortmund was last night. Expect Simeone and Ancelotti to be conservative in their approach - so lots of manoeuvring. In that, all things should be equal at halftime - Bet365 have priced a draw at halftime at 2.05. Four of Atleti’s last five games at home have been scoreless at halftime. If you are looking for enhanced odds, then a 0-0 scoreline at the interval has been priced at 2.50.
While Bayern have been prolific in front of goal under Ancelotti, they have yet to face a defence as resolute as Atletico - something they found out on their last trip to the Vicente Calderón. Simeone has built himself a fortress. Goals should be at a minimum this evening. You can bet on under 2.5 goals with Bet365 at 1.53 - but if you’re feeling really bold you can get under 1.5 goals for 2.62.
