World Soccer - UK (2021-03)

ATALANTA

WILL THENERAZZURRIMAINTAIN

THEIR AWAY DAY MAGIC?

Whether in Serie A or in Europe, the

team so astutely built by coach Gian

Piero Gasperini are more dangerous

when playingoutsideBergamasco,

winning allthreeoftheir awaygamesin

GroupD.Taketheir match-upswith

Liverpool in November: hammered 5-0

at home by the Reds, they returned to

Anfield to snatch a shock 2-0 win.

injury absences of deep-lying Italian
playmaker Marco Verratti, a long-time
sufferer of groin inflammation. A fit and
firing Verratti, both a visionary passer
and dogged ball-winner, would certainly
help enormously. Word has it that
Pochettino believes the Italian is

ATLETICO MADRID

WHO IS THE MOST-IMPROVED

PLAYER IN THE ATLETI RANKS?

Afterahorrendoustimeforthe

Colchoneroslast season – failing to

register a single goal or assist in any

competition – the France winger

Thomas Lemar has bounced back with

a vengeance this term. “He’s worked

very hard to show us what he really can

do,” says Atletico coach Diego Simeone.

BARCELONA

IS ANTOINE GRIEZMANN STARTING

TO SHOW HIS WORTH?

At the turn of the year, it seemed the

France forward was at the point of no

return, with goals in short supply and

Martin Braithwaite ahead of him in the

pecking order. Yet in recent weeks he

has produced a string of match-winning

performances. A Messi-less future may

not be so bleak if this form continues.

carrying too much timber and wants

himtogoonadiet.

It’s vital for Pochettino to have a

squad capable of firing on all cylinders.

His preferred style of play, one based on

intensity and directness, is not possible

without a full tank of gas.

Making his mark...

Pochettino’s man-

management will be

put to the test in Paris

Anfield upset...Ilicic

opens the scoring

Improving...Lemar

Struggling...

Griezmann