Diego Simeone has changed the tempo without losing himself. Atlético Madrid’s UEFA Champions League campaign is fast, direct and often wild, and the numbers back it up. Just one clean sheet in 15 matches is the headline twist, yet they sit in the semifinals against Arsenal with the tie level at 1-1. On Sofascore, their season profile looks nothing like the old low-block narrative.

Clean sheets are rare by design

Atlético have kept a clean sheet in only 1 of 15 Champions League games. That matches Kairat Almaty’s tally in this season’s competition, which says plenty about how open their games have been. It is a sharp turn from the classic Simeone script that once prized control above all else.

The trade-off is intentional. With more players pushed high and transitions encouraged, Atlético accept volatility at the back for volume up front. The outcome is entertainment and, crucially, goals.

Goals up, goals against too

They rank 3rd for goals scored with 35, a top-end attack by any standard. At the other end, only Qarabağ have conceded more, which leaves Atlético 35th out of 36 for goals against at 27. That combination explains why almost every match feels like a sprint rather than a siege.

The shot profile and set-piece presence carry them through tough spells. They do not sit and wait. They aim to win games in the middle third, then flood the box. It is risk for reward, and the reward has been real.

Running harder than the opponent

The engine is a big factor. Atlético are 5th for distance covered at 117.6 km per match, which is 3.8 km more than Arsenal on average. That gap matters over two intense semifinal legs, especially late in matches when second balls decide ties.

The discipline line is interesting too. They are 2nd for yellow cards with 25, right behind city rivals Real Madrid, yet they have 0 red cards. By fouls committed they sit 19th at 10.8 per game. In short, they play on the edge but keep eleven on the field.

What it means against Arsenal

With the semifinal level at 1-1, expect Atlético to lean into the identity that got them here. Fast restarts, direct running, and a lot of work without the ball. Arsenal’s slightly lower running numbers suggest Atlético will try to stretch the game and test recovery runs.

Set pieces and card management could be decisive. Atlético take bookings, but they have avoided the one that ruins a plan. If they maintain that balance and keep the attack humming, the clean-sheet count will not define them. You can follow the semifinal live on Sofascore, including momentum charts, player heat maps and real-time Sofascore Ratings. As always, 10 is the perfect Rating.