Atletico Madrid and Manchester United: Like two peas in a pod

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There is a feeling that while there is a long way to go in the Champions League, the outcome of Atletico Madrid and Manchester United's last-16 tie will determine the success of their respective campaigns.

The team that prevails will have a decent opportunity to reach the latter stages of the Champions League, while the loser will have to face the music from their many critics.

Both Atletico and United entered the season with hopes of challenging for the domestic title in Spain and England respectively, but they find themselves a fair distance behind Real Madrid and Manchester City.
High expectations not met
Atleti are the reigning LaLiga Santander champions and there was a strong belief that they would again capitalise on the lack of real progress made by Real Madrid and Barcelona in the transfer window, yet instead they have fallen by the wayside.

As for United, they were very active in the summer transfer market and brought in the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Jadon Sancho to try and mount a title challenge, but they have struggled to keep pace with Manchester City and Liverpool.

To highlight the gap between these two sides and their league leaders adds to the disappointment, as Atleti are 15 points away from Real Madrid and United are 17 points behind Pep Guardiola's City.
Champions League football under threat
Given the current situation at this stage of the season, both teams will likely have to focus on a top-four finish in their leagues if they are to return to Champions League football next season.

Failing that, one of the two will have to go on to win the Champions League this season, which looks less than likely.

Over in England, Manchester United are in a battle for fourth place with West Ham and Arsenal, meanwhile Atleti are mixing with Real Betis and Barcelona to clinch Champions League football next season.

Atleti and United: Reflections of each other
The parallels between the two are uncanny when looking at the importance placed on goalkeepers. Atleti have relied on Jan Oblak regularly this season to keep them in games, as have United with former Los Rojiblancos player David de Gea.

With regard to the new signings made at both clubs, the likes of Antoine Griezmann and Cristiano Ronaldo have done little to justify their transfers and if anything have disrupted the changing room formalities.

Both sides need a win tonight, with their season dependent on it.