Sergio Aguero thinks Atletico Madrid can punish Sporting Lisbon on
the counter-attack in Thursday night's Europa League last-16
second-leg tie.
Atletico striker Aguero feels last week's disappointing
goalless draw at home to Sporting could actually end up working to
his side's advantage in the return meeting in Portugal.
The Spanish side missed a great chance to take control of the
tie, failing to break down a Sporting side reduced to nine men
following the dismissals of Leandro Grimi after 31 minutes and
Tonel (89).
However, despite that setback at the Vicente Calderon, Aguero
is taking an optimistic approach towards the second leg at the
Estadio Jose Alvalade.
"With the first leg having been drawn 0-0, they are going to
have to come out to attack because they are playing at home and
their fans will demand that they go forward and this will suit us,"
said the Argentinian.
"In this game, our best weapon is going to be the
counter-attack."
Atletico go into the match buoyed by Monday's hard-fought
home win over Osasuna, in which the Rojiblancos recovered from the
56th-minute dismissal of Simao Sabrosa to triumph 1-0 thanks to
Jose Manuel Jurado's brilliant late strike.
That result means Atletico have won three and drawn two of
their last five matches, but Sporting boast an even more impressive
recent record.
In their last five fixtures, as well as the draw with
Atletico, Sporting have beaten Everton (3-0), Porto (3-0),
Belenenses (4-0) and Vitoria Guimaraes (3-1).
It is therefore set to be a hard-fought game and Sporting
coach Carlos Carvalhal hopes his side's supporters can help tip the
balance in their favour.
Following Saturday's triumph over Vitoria he said: "Sporting
are full of confidence, the team is motivated and we are growing.
"The team knows what we have to do on the pitch at every
single moment.
"Hopefully, a lot of people will turn out for Thursday's game
to help us to get past a tricky opponent. Atletico Madrid have
beaten Barcelona and Valencia recently."
Carvalhal looks set to have striker Yannick Djalo available
again, but Carrico is still struggling with a knock while Grimi and
Tonel are suspended.
Florent Sinama Pongolle is also ineligible having represented
Atletico in Europe earlier this season.
Atletico coach Quique Sanchez Flores, meanwhile, has named a
20-man squad for the trip to Portugal, with Tiago and Ibrahima
Balde dropping out as they are not registered and Pablo Ibanez
omitted.
