Paris Saint-Germain vs Atlético Madrid Preview
Atlético Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain meet in a huge clash on the opening day of the Club World Cup on June 15th at the Rose Bowl. This match is one of the biggest in the Club World Cup schedule and promises to be an intriguing contest.
PSG fell foul to Atletico’s frustrating style of play last time and will be out for revenge in California. Can the European champions get their own back, or will Simeone’s side prove to be their kryptonite?
Paris Saint-Germain vs Atlético Madrid Predictions
Score prediction: PSG 0-1 Atlético Madrid
One of our bravest soccer predictions this week is for Atlético Madrid to snatch a win in California. This game is tighter than the odds suggest, despite PSG’s success this season. The European Champions looked unstoppable over the last four months, turning on the style in the second half of the season en route to the Champions League final. However, the recent Nations League matches might affect the French side more as several players participated in the final matches.
This is a gigantic clash of styles in every sense of the term. Diego Simeone is famous for his structured, defensive style, while PSG are arguably the most full-throttle, attacking team in the world. Atleti got the better of PSG in the Champions League group phase, and Simeone’s style of play looks to be their weakness. We are backing the underdogs to get a result here.
Atlético Madrid are perennial underdogs in a league dominated by the riches of Real Madrid and Barcelona. However, Diego Simeone has enjoyed success on the red side of Madrid thanks to his style of management. His compact defence, hard-working midfield, and mastery of counter-attacking football consistently frustrate some of the best teams in the world.
This has never been more on show than the last time these sides met. Atlético defeated PSG 2-1 in Paris despite the hosts enjoying an outrageous 72% possession. The Parisians completed over double the amount of passes and registered 22 shots with nine on target, compared to four and three for Atleti. We saw a similar story when Liverpool snatched a 1-0 win at the Parc des Princes in March despite having two shots and 29% possession in 90 minutes. This PSG side is full of incredible attacking flair, but Simeone and Atletico have the tactical nous to nullify it.
That said, PSG are the most dangerous side in world football. Their attacking depth can turn any game on its head. Ousmane Dembele, Kvichi Kvaretshkelia and Desire Doue form the most exciting attack in club football right now. Luis Enrique has the firepower to test even the most disciplined backline. Expect PSG to dominate possession and look to drag Atletico out of their shape through quick switches and overloads out wide. If they can find space behind Atlético’s wing-backs or isolate their forwards 1v1, they have the pace and precision to punish any lapse.
We would not be surprised to see a change in shape or personnel from Luis Enrique. Atlético will aim to trap PSG out wide and force turnovers through stolen balls or pressing backwards passes. Enrique has often opted against starting a classic number 9 in their system, meaning crosses into the box are a rarity. That could change here. Goncalo Ramos looks tailor-made for a game like this, and we may see him start as a centre forward in front of three attackers.
Ultimately, it comes down to execution. If PSG can play through the pressure and avoid frustration, they may create enough to take control. But if Simeone’s game plan holds, and Atletico make the most of their few chances, they could once again prove that discipline beats flair. We’re tipping Atleti to do just that.
Paris Saint-Germain vs Atlético Madrid Betting Tips
- Full-Time Result – Atlético Madrid to win: This is a tricky game to call. PSG are the best team in Europe right now following their Champions League win. However, the odds turn us more toward Atlético. They beat PSG last time they played and can take advantage of any fatigue in the French side after a long season. A bet on Atletico Madrid is worth 3/1. Alternatively, a draw looks like a good bet too, worth 13/5. PSG is worth 10/11, which is a risk given that several players participated in international football this week.
- Handicap – Draw (Atlético Madrid +1): PSG are favourites here for a reason. We cannot understate just how impressive they were in the Champions League, especially in the second half of the campaign. However, if they do win, we are not expecting them to blow Atletico away. Anyone betting on the handicap should back a +1 Draw, worth 14/5 with our online sportsbook.
- Player to be Carded – Nuno Mendes: Nuno Mendes is one of the best left-backs in the world. However, when playing against Europe’s elite, he is not averse to the dark arts. The Portuguese fullback picked up cards against Arsenal, Man City, and Bayern Munich in the Champions League. He will probably come up against Giuliano Simeone in this match, who is one of Atletico’s most fouled players. Club World Cup betting will offer attractive odds on Mendes to be carded if he starts.
- Shots on Target – Ousmane Dembele 2+ SOT: Ousmane Dembele looks a shoo-in for the Ballon d’Or this year. He was the best attacker in the Champions League and won Player of the Tournament and Player of the Year in Ligue 1. He averaged 2.6 shots on target per 90 in Ligue 1 and 1.8 in Europe. PSG will dominate possession and take plenty of shots here as they did in the last meeting. Bet on the Frenchman to register two or more shots on target when betting on football.
Paris Saint-Germain vs Atlético Madrid Head-To-Head and Key Stats
These sides last met in November in the league phase of the Champions League. Atlético Madrid came out on top in dramatic fashion as Angel Correa scored the winner with the last kick of the game. PSG made a bright start, taking a 14th-minute lead through Warren Zaire-Emery after pouncing on a defensive lapse. But Atletico responded swiftly, with Nahuel Molina firing home from a loose clearance just four minutes later.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QEluRO3ibE&pp=ygUPcHNnIHZzIGF0ZWx0aWNv
The hosts dominated the second half, with Achraf Hakimi and Bradley Barcola forcing saves from Jan Oblak, and Marquinhos heading straight at the keeper. PSG looked most likely to find a winner, but were caught out late on. In the 93rd minute, Atlético launched a swift counter-attack, finished clinically by substitute Correa after a pinpoint cross-field ball from Antoine Griezmann. The late blow exposed PSG’s defensive frailties and handed Diego Simeone’s side a statement win.
The match had little bearing on the rest of PSG’s campaign, though. Les Parisiens won the Champions League for the first time in their history after a 5-0 demolition of Inter Milan. Achraf Hakimi opened the scoring before 19-year-old Désiré Doué stole the show. The French prodigy scored twice and assisted another, showcasing composure and brilliance beyond his years.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and teenage substitute Senny Mayulu added to the humiliation, as Luis Enrique’s vibrant, high-pressing side overwhelmed a helpless Inter. From the first whistle, PSG’s intent was clear, with Vitinha orchestrating the attack and their press forcing errors. Inter, once hopeful of a treble, were dismantled and left in tears. After years of disappointment, PSG finally earned their place among Europe’s elite.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckZIdd-8Pm4&pp=ygUMcHNnIHZzIGludGVy
Atlético Madrid finished their La Liga season on May 24th with a resounding 4-0 victory away to Girona. Alexander Sørloth came off the bench to fire a second-half hat-trick after entering halftime at 0-0. With both sides fielding depleted squads and little at stake, the match lacked intensity until Sørloth broke the deadlock in the 68th minute after a Girona defensive blunder.
Rodrigo De Paul teed up the Norwegian striker for a simple tap-in before defender Clément Lenglet headed home a rebound in the 87th minute. Sørloth then added two more goals in stoppage time, capitalising on counterattacks to seal a memorable hat-trick and comfortable victory. The win saw them finish third in LaLiga on 76 points, behind Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Paris Saint-Germain vs Atlético Madrid Team News
Both sides have not played a competitive match in weeks following the end of the domestic season and the CL final. However, some players have not enjoyed much of a break, thanks to international duty. Both teams have lost players either to the conclusion of the Nations League or to some international matches and friendlies. It’s unclear who will return in time for this fixture, but some superstars like Mbappe, Dembele, and Sørloth may not return in time for the first game of the Club World Cup.
