Atletico Madrid are likely to need to beat Group B leaders Botafogo by at least three goals on Matchday 3 if the Spanish side are to advance to the last 16 of the 2025 Fifa Club World Cup.
Following an opening 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, Atleti put themselves back on track with a 3-1 win against fourth-placed team the Seattle Sounders on Thursday.
“We beat Seattle and played a great game, and the other result didn’t favour us,” said striker Julian Alvarez, referencing PSG’s surprise 1-0 defeat to the Brazilian club.
“We have to score several goals… it’s up to us; we have to play a great game, make almost everything go right and try to capture the chances we have to score the goals we need.
“We know it won’t be easy, but we’re confident in that. The team is preparing in the best way possible and we ask you to trust us and support us because we’re going to give everything we have to try to qualify.”
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Botafogo felt that Champions League winners PSG showed a lack of humility that contributed to their downfall on Matchday 2.
“We will never be afraid of anyone,” said centre-back Alexander Barboza after the victory at California’s Rose Bowl.
“It was a very difficult game – we knew it would be. They have very high-quality players, but so do Botafogo. We are a humble team who give everything on the field with determination.
“We ran for 95, 96 minutes, I don’t know how long the game lasted. But now it’s just happiness. The word is humility – that was the key.
“Everyone was running backwards, forwards, sideways, staying together and not giving space to the opposition.”
Atletico Madrid v Botafogo team news
Centre-back Clement Lenglet returns from suspension for Atleti and could replace Jose Maria Gimenez, who was injured against Seattle and has missed training.
Manager Diego Simeone has a decision to make between Antoine Griezmann – dropped on Matchday 2 – and Alexander Sorloth in attack.
Botafogo spent more than £19 million during the special transfer window for Club World Cup teams, signing goalkeeper Christian Loor, defender Kaio Fernando, midfielder Alvaro Montoro and forwards Arthur Cabral and Joaquin Correa.
Winger Matheus Martins is returning to full fitness following a left thigh injury.
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Atletico Madrid v Botafogo expected line-ups
Atletico Madrid starting XI: Oblak; Llorente, Le Normand, Gimenez, Galan; De Paul, Koke, Simeone, Barrios; Alvarez, Sorloth
Botafogo starting XI: John; Vitinha, Jair, Ricardo, Telles; Artur, Freitas, Gregore, Savarino; Jesus, Cruz
How to watch Atleti v Botafogo: TV and online streams
Kick-off on Monday is at 20:00 BST, with free live coverage on Channel 5 in the UK.
John Obi Mikel, Sami Khedira, Ronaldo, Christian Vieri, Shay Given, Callum Wilson, Andros Townsend, Ade Oladipo, Kelly Somers and Fabrizio Romano are among the pundits and presenters.
The co-commentators are Andros Townsend, Michael Brown, Brad Friedel, Rob Green, Danny Higginbotham, Don Hutchison, Jonas Olsson and Anita Asante.
A highlights and analysis show, The Press, will be presented by James Alcott and Julien Laurens and analyse each day’s games on 5’s streaming service.
