04-29-2016, 02:42 AM
By this point in the season, the elite soccer teams of Europe often have their positions in their domestic leagues locked up, allowing them to give the season’s biggest prize, the Champions League, undivided attention.
That is not the case this year. Three Champions League semifinalists — Atlético Madrid, Real Madrid and Manchester City — will have one eye on other matters as they play the first legs of their semifinal matchups on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Diego Simeone's team continues to succeed against some of Europe's top teams, sticking to a simple formula executed to perfection: Tough defending and effective attacking, from start to finish.
Goalkeeper: Joe Hart (Manchester City)
Defender: Juanfran (Atlético Madrid)
Defender: Vincent Kompany (Manchester City)
Defender: Pepe (Real Madrid)
Defender: Filipe Luís (Atlético Madrid)
Midfielder: Saúl Ñíguez (Atlético Madrid)
Midfielder: Fernandinho (Manchester City)
Midfielder: Augusto Fernández (Atlético Madrid)
Midfielder: Casemiro (Real Madrid)
Forward: Antoine Griezmann (Atlético Madrid)
Forward: Fernando Torres (Atlético Madrid)