Atletico Madrid finds themselves in a precarious position just with a single Champions League group left in Group C. Even though the Spanish giants were victorious in their last Champions League match beating AS Roma 2-0 in Madrid, Atletico Madrid has very slim of making it to the knockout stage of the competition. In fact, Atletico Madrid's chances of progress have a lot of 'ifs' than the effort that the team needs to put.
Chelsea has already qualified for the next level of the competition, but the Londoners are still seeking for the pole position in the group with a victory over Atletico Madrid in the last group match.
What makes things even worse for the Madrid club is that AS Roma who is also seeking for a knockout spot still has a home match with the group minnows, Qarabag Fk.
Atletico Madrid must beat Chelsea in London and rely on Qarabag FK to deny AS Roma the maximum points in the other group contest. The two prayers are almost improbable given that Atletico wasn't able to beat the Blues back in their backyard, so an away contest promises to be even more challenging. Also, AS Roma will play Qarabag FK - a club that has had at least a player sent off in three of their five Champions League matches this season.
Where did Atletico Madrid go wrong?
Everything has been wrong in Atletico's approach to all Champions League matches in this campaign except the 2-0 win over Atletico Madrid.
Diego Simeone men kicked off this season's Champions League match with a barren draw in Italy against AS Roma. Well, with Atletico playing their first game against the strong AS Roma side, it's difficult to find a fault in Atletico Madrid's failure to walk away with all the three points.
The real trouble began when Atletico Madrid allowed Chelsea to beat them 2-1 in their second Champions League group match at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano.
The worst part was that the home team was in the lead at the break only to let Chelsea come from behind and win the match with two second-half goals. Chelsea's winning goal came in the stoppage minute through Michy Batshuayi.
The double- draw against Champions League debutants, Qarabag FK in the two leg-meeting in another mistake that the Spanish team committed.
What can annoy any Atletico fan is the fact that the team never exploited the early red cards that the Horsemen got in each of their two group meetings. Had Atletico got at least one win against the Azerbaijan champions, Diego Simeone's would've been carrying their opportunity of progress within their own hands.
What should the Madrid-based club do?
It isn't easy to agree with Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone's assertion that his team is still on course to go beyond the group stages. The Spanish giants must beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and wait for the outcome to see if it favors them. If AS Roma beats Qarabag FK, Atletico should take the consolation prize and head to Europa League.
The 2013/14 Spanish champions are currently occupying the third spot in Primera Division league standings tied in points with their city-rival, Real Madrid on twenty-seven points.
However, Atletico Madrid is seven points behind Primera Division title race given the league leaders, Barcelona has accumulated thirty-four points. Atletico Madrid can focus on taking domestic titles should they exit Champions League at the group stage.
