Simeone opted for a fluid 4-4-2, The key to their success was the positioning of the full-backs, Alex Grimaldo and Marcos Llorente. By pushing high and wide, they forced United's wingers into deep defensive positions, effectively nullifying their counter-attacking threat. The midfield engine room, anchored by Johnny Cardoso and the goalscorer Pablo Barrios, focused on winning "the second ball" - a classic Simeone trigger. Whenever United attempted to clear their lines, Atleti's central pairing was perfectly positioned to recycle possession, maintaining a suffocating pressure that led to 11 total shots.
The pressing triggers were specific and disciplined. Atletico did not press the United centre-backs relentlessly; instead, they waited for the pass into the "pivot zone." When Tielemans or Baleba received the ball with their back to goal, Atleti triggered a collective trap, led by Julian Alvarez and Kang-in Lee. This forced United into long, low-percentage passes that Dávid Hancko and Cristian Romero easily intercepted.
Offensively, the combination play between Alex Baena and Barrios was exceptional. Baena’s ability to drift into half-spaces (as seen with his assist for the opener) created numerical superiorities that United's backline simply could not track without breaking their defensive chain.