The mission for the Seattle Sounders to beat LaLiga giants Atlético Madrid is not impossible, but it is improbable. Both teams suffered losses in their Club World Cup Group B matches. Atletico was manhandled 4-0 by the recently crowned European Champions, Paris Saint-Germain. The Sounders were on the short end of a 2-1 loss to South American side Botafogo. Both sides need a victory in Thursday’s match to stay alive in the race for a spot in the round of 16 knockout stage.
SOUNDERS HAVE TO PLAY CLEAN SOCCER
If the Sounders are to secure a result against a side seeking redemption, they will need to play clean football. Defend as a team, make clean tackles when defending and stay aware from careless giveaways. Atletico is a physical attacking side led by forwards Alexander Sørloth, Antoine Griezmann and Juian Alvarez. Griezmann is Atletico’s all-time goal scorer due to his ability to operate not only in but also around the goal box. Sørloth is tall rangy and usually a lethal finisher. The Norwegian missed a sitter in the loss to PSG so he will be chomping at the bit to make amends
Alvarez presents a bigger challenge than Griezmann due to his versatility, which allows him to play as a striker, off striker, wide left, or wide right. The Sounders backline will need to keep track of all three marksmen and be clean in defending and attacking. Sounders’ head coach will likely start John Bell and Jackson Ragen at center back.
Both are steady defenders and agile with their feet when tackling and playing out of the back. Right back Alex Roldan and left back Nouhou or Kalai Kossa-Reinzi will need to stay tucked in the middle and not allow Griezmann , Alvarez, and midfielder Rodrigo time and space in and around the goal box.
“ We’ll be under it for parts of the game, but you know, there again, I thought we had some good possession against Botafogo and we kind of emphasized that,’ said head coach Brian Schmetzer. “ We’re gonna have to get past their pressure because they’re very good at pressing the right homes. So, we’ll have to make sure the players are clean and don’t give the ball away.
REPEAT PERFORMANCE BY OBED AND CRISTIAN ROLDAN
Midfielders Cristian Roldan and Obed Vargas have been the backbone of the Sounders’ attacking and defending. Roldan’s ability to make long passes, like breaking passes, has created downfield opportunities for Albert Rusnâk, Paul Rothrock, Ryan Kent, and Jesus Ferreira. The issue has been a lack of creativity once the ball is in the final third of the attacking zone. Vargas’s ability to push into the final third has put pressure on opposing midfielders. Against Botafogo, the two were in advanced positions, and it was Roldan who scored the Sounders’ first goal of the tournament. Against Atletico, the pair will need to stay disciplined when defending and precise when passing out of the midfield.
BIG PICTURE
The Sounders are going into the game as heavy underdogs, and Schmetzer said in his post-practice interview,” We have no pressure and can play carefree.” This is an opportunity for each of the Sounders players to measure their craft against some of the greatest players in the world. What cannot get lost in translation is hustle, grit, and a genuine belief that they can win the game. If the Sounders lose the game, Schmetzer and his staff will be judged on how they lost, rather than simply on the fact that they lost.
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