Like Liverpool, their semi-final opponents in the Europa League, Athlético Madrid, have also been having a disappointing domestic season.

At the moment they are as far down as tenth position in La Liga.

Athlético have lost a massive fifteen league games- an astonishing figure for a club of their stature. It’s not what was expected when Quique Sanchez Flores was appointed coach back in October, to replace Abel Resino.

Athlético were fourth last year, winning a place in the Champions League; but the team performed poorly in that competition which resulted in their demotion to the Europa League like Liverpool- which cost Resino his job.

What will worry Rafa Benitez though, is the way the Spanish club have come through to the semi-finals of this competition. Sanchez Flores’s squad still haven’t played well but have found a way to win ties despite their indifferent form.

Bet on this match: Athlético Madrid v Liverpool

The team from the Spanish capital have come through three ties and in those six matches they have only won once. In their last two ties against Sporting Lisbon and Valencia they have progressed on away goals on each occasion.

In the powerhouse quarter-final with La Liga rivals Valencia, the ‘Rojiblancos’ played out a tense goalless affair on their own pitch after grabbing two away goals. The star forward pairing of Diego Forlan and Sergio Aguero couldn’t find a way through to give their fans an easier night.

Forlan and Aguero are perhaps more dangerous away from the Vicente Calderon Stadium when they can play on the counter-attack, The same thing happened against Sporting in the last 16- Athlético forced a 2-2 result in Portugal and then held the Lisbon team at home

Everything points to a cautious approach by Athletico in Thursday’s first leg as they are confident in their ability to give Liverpool problems at Anfield- not conceding an away goal is likely to be their priority.

With Liverpool forced to go into the tie without former Madrid hero Fernando Torres, Athlético may have the edge and the incentive to aim for a victory by any margin, so long as the English team don’t score. 1-0 would satisfy Sanchez Flores.

The hope for Liverpool is that Athlético revert to their domestic form- the ‘Rojiblancos’ have lost their last three La Liga matches and leaked seven goals in the process. Even without Torres and Ryan Babel, Benitez will fancy the chances of scoring at the Calderon.

Though the home team might play it tight, keeping the Reds at bay could be beyond them. The form of both teams points to a possible 1-1 (6.50 at PartyBets.com) result and the tie left in the balance for the second leg.

Related posts:

1. Liverpool, Fulham Europa League Semi-Finals Preview
2. Atlético Madrid and Valencia Clash in all-Spanish Europa League Quarter-Final
3. Europa League Predictions: Lille Are A Stiff Obstacle For Liverpool

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