Amongst the clutch of early kick-offs in the Europa League on Thursday night, reigning champions Atletico Madrid will get their campaign underway in Thessaloniki, where they meet an Aris side who finished fourth in Super League Greece last term.
There is no shortage of European experience in the dugout of the Greek outfit, where they are commanded by former Valencia coach Hector Cuper, who unfortunately saw los Che lose successive Champions League finals under his stewardship.
On the field, Aris don’t command such well known faces, though Freddy Adu can be counted amongst their ranks, despite the American’s recent slump in form that has seen him tumble from a highly touted talent to a forgotten man.
A sprinkling of Spaniards in the Aris ranks will certainly be keen to make an impression against a side doing so well in their homeland. Former Barcelona B midfielders Javito and Toni Calvo should be convened in the first XI come Thursday evening, while ex-Malaga and Olympique de Marseille No.10 Koke is liable to play a key role in the offence.
With plenty of connections to La Primera, Aris have plenty of motivation to secure a good result.
Minds On Barca?
While Aris can afford to think largely about this game, already Atletico Madrid may be letting their minds wander from the competition they won so impressively last season. A strong start domestically has them with a 100 per cent record after two games, topping the Spanish table, with some pundits already starting to muse over los Colchoneros’ ability to remain there.
Moreover, Sunday brings with it a massive test for Quique Sanchez Flores’ side, who will line-up against Barcelona in the first real acid test of their abilities. Understandably that will take top billing in the minds of all at the Madrid club, and already the press are hounding the players with their thoughts of that fixture as opposed to their musings over Aris.
Alvaro Dominguez has been one player to comment on the Europa League, and the young defender has said that his side will fight tooth and nail to succeed in it. “It is clear that the league is what feeds the club and we know that our main goal is to be in the top four in the league but we do not rule out the other competitions,” he explained to Marca. “The team is good, has a good squad and we intend to fight in all competitions.”
After a tremendous victory over Athletic Bilbao in Pamplona last weekend – a venue that neither Barca nor Real Madrid claimed three points at last term – confidence should be high that the momentum can continue on Thursday, though it will probably be fringe men sent out to do the job.
TEAM NEWS
Aris
Suspensions will prove an issue for Aris, who have already played four European games this season, seeing off Jagiellonia Bialystok and Austria Vienna. Juan Carlos Toja, Neto and Danijel Cesarec, all of whom have been regular starters this season, miss out.
Alvaro Portilla, who was transferred to Aris from Atletico in the summer, may get his chance to excel.
Probable Starting XI: Sifakis; Vangjeli, Guiaro, Lazaridis, Michel; Javito, Nafti, Portilla, Calvo; Koke, Carlos Ruiz
Atletico
No risks will be taken with the fitness of Sergio Aguero, who was withdrawn early from the encounter against Athletic Bilbao due to an ankle sprain. It’s looking likely that he’ll be fit for Barcelona though.
Another man missing is Tomas Ujfalusi, though there is also genuine hope that he returns in time for Sunday’s big match.
Expect to see significant rotation from Quique Sanchez Flores to keep his men in prime condition.
Probable Starting XI: De Gea; Perea, Godin, Antonio Lopez, Filipe; Merida, Camacho, Suarez, Simao; Diego Costa, Diego Forlan
Prediction
It would be a little hasty to consider this a match that will be easily won by Atletico. With Barcelona forthcoming, changes will be made in their squad and it should not be forgotten that Aris are unbeaten at home in Europe since 1970 – a run stretching 21 games. The Greeks will have a hard time making it 22, but with the home support behind them and an incredibly motivated squad, a draw should not be discounted.
Aris Thessaloniki 1-2 Atletico Madrid 
