Audi Cup 2017 Final: The prize is more than just the trophy!

(Baonghean.vn) - Coach Simeone and his team won the Audi Cup 2017, after defeating the team from England in the final match of the tournament.

Although it was a final, both Simeone and Klopp fielded mostly reserve players from the start. This is understandable, as this is the last precious opportunity for Atletico and Liverpool to review their personnel and tactical plans for the new season that is approaching very soon.

On the side of the English port city team, coach Klopp used his favorite formation 4-2-3-1: young striker Solanke played in the striker position, supported by the trio Mane - Lallana - Woodburn, the familiar central midfielder pair Emre Can - Wijnaldum, the defenders were Milner - Klavan - Gomes - Flanagan, and the young goalkeeper Ward guarded the goal.

Coutinho's absence is fueling rumors that the player is preparing to move to Barcelona. Photo: Internet.

Meanwhile, Atletico took the field with coach Simeone's favorite 4-4-2 formation: playing highest up front were the Argentine duo Correa - Vietto, behind were the 4 midfielders Thomas - Kranevitter - Augusto - Bare, the defense consisted of Vrsaljko - Gimenez - Lucas - Sergi, standing in the goal was goalkeeper Moya.

In the first minutes, the two teams played erratically and lacked cohesion. Liverpool had a slight advantage in terms of game position. The Gegen-pressing style that Klopp applied to The Kop forced Atletico players into a difficult defensive position. However, the team led by coach Simeone showed that they were not an easy opponent to bully.

In the face of Liverpool's siege, the defense under the command of experienced center-back Gimenez remained undaunted. Every pass from Mane and his teammates was easily neutralized. Goalkeeper Moya did not have to work too much thanks to the solidity and alertness of the players playing above.

According to statistics, in the first 45 minutes of the match: Liverpool held the ball up to 65% compared to Atletico's 35%. But the most important number is completely opposite, when Atletico was the team that opened the score. Bare's goal in the 33rd minute was the result of a quick counter-attack, clearly marked by coach Simeone's tactical style.

Atletico is like that, not playing aggressively, giving the field to the opponent, but if the opponent loses concentration for a moment, they will punish them with quick, sharp counterattacks. By the time the opponent realizes, the ball is already in the net. Liverpool is the latest victim to suffer the "counterattack" of coach Simeone and his team.

After the break, coach Klopp made some changes in personnel. Firmino, Henderson, Robertson, Origi... were put on the field in turn to replace Milner, Solanke, Emre Can, Lallana... This change helped Liverpool have more dangerous situations. The weakness in the ability to take advantage of opportunities of his students made coach Klopp impatient outside the pitch.

Atletico players at the moment of lifting the Audi Cup 2017 championship. Photo: Internet.

Realizing that his team was not playing well, coach Simeone immediately sent Griezmann, Gabi, Flippe Luis, Torres... onto the field. However, the game did not change much, Liverpool continued to put pressure on goalkeeper Moya's goal. What had to happen had to happen, in a move to join the defense, central midfielder Gabi fouled Origi. On the 11m mark, substitute player Firmino made no mistake to bring home the equalizer.

In the remaining 10 minutes of the match, both Liverpool and Atletico played cautiously, waiting for the final whistle. Unable to resolve the match in 90 minutes, the two teams had to take each other to a series of risky penalty kicks. In the end, Atletico was the winner when they successfully executed all 5 shots, while Liverpool only succeeded in 4 (Henderson was blocked by goalkeeper Moya). Thus, coach Simeone and his team won the first and only title in the summer of 2017.

The championship at the Audi Cup this time will be a boost of motivation and confidence for the Madrid team before entering the new season, which is considered extremely difficult and fierce. Unable to strengthen the force (transfer ban), but with the current squad, Atletico is still a formidable opponent for every team in La Liga and the Champions League. Meanwhile, despite missing out on the championship title, coach Klopp and his team still learned valuable lessons for their upcoming journey./.

Thanh Hung