BY ROSEMARY UGIOMOH
Two clubs still chasing their first UEFA Champions League title are set to clash Wednesday night at the Estadio Metropolitano, where Atletico Madrid welcome Arsenal for the first leg of a high-stakes semifinal.
The winner over two legs will advance to face either Bayern Munich or reigning champions PSG in the final at Budapest’s Puskas Arena on May 30.
This is Atletico’s seventh appearance in a European Cup/Champions League semifinal, and their first since 2016/17. They booked their spot by outlasting rivals Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate in the quarterfinals.
Diego Simeone’s side has flipped the script this season. Long known for defensive discipline, they’ve become an attacking force in Europe — their 34 UCL goals are already a club record, beating the 26 they managed in 2013/14. Eight of those came in a wild 8-5 aggregate win over Tottenham in the Round of 16.
Domestically, Atleti snapped a four-match LaLiga skid with a 3-2 win over Athletic Bilbao on Saturday, keeping them inside the top four. Still, their recent record against English clubs is rough: just 2 wins in the last 12 UEFA meetings, including a 4-0 loss at Arsenal in this season’s League Phase.
History offers some hope though. Atletico have won 11 of their last 15 two-legged ties vs English teams, including all three semifinals. At home, they’ve lost only 2 of their last 18 against English opposition. In UCL semis overall, they’re an even 3W-3L.
Arsenal are into the UCL semifinals for the second straight year — a first in club history — and fourth time total. They squeezed past Sporting Lisbon 1-0 on aggregate in the quarters.
Mikel Arteta’s men were flawless in the League Phase with 8 wins from 8, and they’re still the only unbeaten side left in the competition at 10W-2D. They’ve lost just 2 of their last 22 UCL matches.
League form has been shakier. A four-game losing run across all competitions, including an EFL Cup final defeat and FA Cup exit, was finally halted Saturday with a 1-0 win over Newcastle. That result kept them three points clear of Man City at the Premier League summit.
Europe suits them lately, especially against LaLiga sides — Arsenal have won their last seven UCL matches vs Spanish clubs. They’ve also been strong away from home in Europe, with just one loss in their last 11 UCL road games. But the UCL record vs Spanish teams overall is still negative: 4 wins, 4 losses. Atletico also knocked Arsenal out of the 2017-18 Europa League semis, 2-1 on aggregate.
Atletico: Pablo Barrios and Jose Gimenez are out injured. Ademola Lookman and David Hancko are doubts. Julian Alvarez is nursing discomfort but could start alongside Griezmann or Sorloth, who bagged two vs Athletic. Johnny Cardoso, Rodrigo Mendoza, or Marcos Llorente may replace Barrios in midfield. Nahuel Molina could start at right-back.
Arsenal: Mikel Merino and Jurrien Timber remain sidelined. Riccardo Calafiori is touch-and-go. Kai Havertz, Eberechi Eze, and Martin Zubimendi were all subbed vs Newcastle and will be assessed, though Eze said he’s “fine.” Gabriel Martinelli or Leandro Trossard could come in for Eze, while Viktor Gyokeres may lead the line if Havertz can’t go. Bukayo Saka impressed off the bench last weekend and could make his first start in over a month.
First legs at this stage tend to be tight, with both sides cautious to stay alive for the return in London. Arsenal will take confidence from their 4-0 League Phase win over Atleti, but the Metropolitano is a different test. Expect Simeone’s men to keep it compact and look to nick something — I’d back them to at least score and avoid defeat at home.
