Atletico Madrid don't deserve ANY compliments: They're ANTI-FOOTBALL - Steve Nicol | ESPN FC

Steve Nicol, Craig Burley, Alejandro Moreno and Nedum Onuoha join ESPN FC to react to Manchester City's 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid in the first leg of the Champions League Quarterfinal.

[mikejones]

The game was like a training simulation to see if Atletico can stop Man City on their end of the pitch..

[AlexOjideagu]

The reason people get frustrated is that Atletico play decent football when they are
losing. But that's the only time you ever see it, at least in the Champions League.

[denzel]

There's no excuse it's not like they don't have talented players two of the most expensive signings playing upfront one of the best strikers in the last 20 years on the bench also

[Nextraker]

Anyone watch the game on paramount +? I’m sure I’m not the only one that’s tired of these British commentators and their bias towards English teams. Like they assume because we’re watching it in English, we support English teams. It gets so annoying watching games.

[lwandoxelelo]

They'd rather lose 1-0 while defending than lose 5-0 while attacking

[thunshao]

How losing 1-0 to City away is a disgraceful performance? It is their way of playing and it work for them for last 10 seasons.

[leeebailey]

Its a shame At. Madrid don't play in the USA. With all the time wasting it would be perfect to fit in a few commercials and great advertisement opportunities.

[paulshao]

Atleti didn’t just park the bus, they parked a spaceship.

[simokojamesphiri]

The Hypocrisy in EPL supporters! I've watched so many teams, especially English and Italian, play that way against Barca for the best part of a decade. When we Barca fans used to complain about anti football, y'all used to say that "there's more than one way to play football". Now the shoe is on the other foot and you're starting to get how frustrating the dark arts can be and all the sudden anti football is bad now? 😂. Personally, after more than 10 years of watching teams park the bus against Barca, I have accepted the likes of Cholo for what they are. He is a necessary evil in this modern game and I'm glad to see that he has hit reset after he conceded 4 goals in a single match for the first time in his career at Camp Nou. Welcome to the shithousery that the likes of Chelsea and Inter were praised for.

[mikael_]

Their "tactics" works against the less talented Manchester team though 😬

[Orion]

Simeone wanted a draw today and almost near got it. City had the ball but didnt really create any worthy chances other than the goal. Most other teams (execpt Liverpool and Bayern) wouldve lost by 2 or 3 easy. Simeone sees ties as 180 or even a 210 minute games, not 2 separate 90 minute ones. Obviously his tactis will differ back in Madrid.

[wammy]

You know city is going to dominate the possession anyway irrespective of how atleti play . Losing 1-0 to city is not a bad thing

[caffeinatedinsomniac]

I can't believe people still criticise Atletico for playing "anti-football". You don't have to like the way they play, but you can't call it anti-football just because they don't play the way most teams do. You have to admit, their style of football serves them well, they are super well drilled defensively. Dirty tactics aside, I actually admire their ability to so completely frustrate their opponents. Also, on a side note, I don't think the British media is even allowed to have an opinion on Atleti since its so obvious that they don't even watch them apart from the UCL.

[Fractalchemystical]

About time someone ripped Dan for those awful glasses, well done Craig! Dan is always mocking everyone else with every chance he gets, especially if they change their appearance or something. I just can't believe he got away with sitting there wearing those ridiculous glasses for so long and no-one really ripped him for it until now! That's why this show needs Craig, someone has to put Dan in his place occasionally, so he doesn't get too big for his boots.

[economicerudite]

I’m a Cruyffista, believe in total football (the same philosophy as Pep) and insist on attacking, possession oriented teams. However, in Atletico’s defence, the stats aren’t particularly reliable. It was only when Foden came on that City came out on top. Prior to that, neither team had any clear chances - the closest were the breaks Atletico got. There was one break where Griezmann was through. He was alone, with the ball, beyond the City back line and running at Ederson. Unfortunately for him, he lacked the pace to make it count so Gundogan caught him. However, imagine if Griezmann scores that chance (which wouldn’t be impossible given his quality and the fact he was 1-on-1 with Ederson). Suddenly Atletico are 1-0 up away from home and City are just passing side-to-side unable to get a break-through. The football is boring, but the truth is that it was a close tie (much closer than the stats suggest) and remains only a 1 goal aggregate lead.

[huzab]

I swear to god, i enjoyed watching Atletico play i mean you can't expect every team to play same football. these variations in style make it a little more fun to understand both teams tactics

[davz]

Atleti actually had chances to win this game or even grab a draw. I think they will be happy with this result going into the second leg, don't understand why everyone gets so upset about how they play.

[piotrsarnowski]

Atletico is still in the game when it comes back to Metropolitano. And that's the fact. There are tons of teams that would be eliminated already. Never liked this type of play but that's the reality. Ridiculing it is pathetic.

[FK-tzgs]

‪I don’t understand how people can be disgusted about how Atletico play. Atletico have no responsibility to entertain you they have a responsibility to win. There is not one way to play football and Atleti have found a style that works for them. I actually admire Atletico’s style.‬

[nazeemsultan]

People if u were expecting atletico to come out attack 4-3-3 tiki taka highline think again, it wil be more 5-5-1 in the second leg 🤣