Champions League: One of these clubs could make a surprise run
By Mike Luciano
2. Atletico Madrid
Diego Simeone and Jan Oblak have made Atletico one of the most difficult teams to beat in all of Europe over the last decade by making them the best defensive team in Spain. However, a lack of attacking quality has doomed them both domestically and in the UCL over the last few years. Simeone might’ve fixed their biggest issue this offseason by signing former Barcelona superstar Luis Suarez, who has already scored twice in his first two La Liga games.
Atletico are always going to be difficult to score on, but Simeone’s hopes of UCL glory could be undone if Suarez and Diego Costa start to show their age and wilt under the pressure. However, in a group with Red Bull Salzburg and Lokomotiv Moscow, Atletico will likely be in the Round of 16. A timely goal or two from Suarez or Costa could push them deep into the competition. Simeone has shown he can win in this competition before, now he needs to prove that he can muster up enough offensive creativity to get the goals flowing.