"I hope the fans blow up the Wanda Metropolitano, that it explodes," said Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone at the news conference following his side's 1-1 Europa League semifinal first-leg draw at Arsenal last week. "There must be positive energy to accompany these kids. I get goosebumps thinking of how next Thursday could be." Simeone was still pumping as he spoke -- having watched from the stands as Atletico's 10 men battled to a 1-1 draw at the Emirates following Sime Vrsaljko's early red card, with the Argentine also sent off for abusing the referee soon afterwards. "Hopefully our fans can help us to go through in the return," Antoine Griezmann said. "We must do it now, we expect a euphoric atmosphere at the Wanda." It seemed, maybe, as if Simeone and Griezmann had momentarily forgotten their team had moved home last season. Atletico's old, crumbling Vicente Calderon stadium was a place that exploded and grew eupho...
Arsenal will undoubtedly go into Thursday night's second leg of their Europa League semifinal against Atletico Madrid with a tinge of regret. With the Spanish side reduced to 10 men after just 10 minutes of their first encounter, and then having manager Diego Simeone sent to the stands a few minutes later, there was a real opportunity to be ruthless and take a solid advantage to Madrid. Instead, they struggled to break down their opponents, and although Alexandre Lacazette gave them the lead, a late defensive calamity allowed Antoine Griezmann to equalise, grabbing a valuable away goal. The Gunners should have done more with the first leg, but although Atletico are now clear favourites, this is a tie that is far from over. Arsene Wenger's team selection will likely see him field more or less the same side that played at the Emirates last Thursday. If Henrikh Mkhitaryan is fit, he could come into the side in place of Jack Wilshere, but the Arsenal manager may decide to ke...