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Atlético task daunting for Megson

Bolton Wanderers FC manager Gary Megson is taking little comfort as his side take a 1-0 lead to Club Atlético de Madrid in the UEFA Cup Round of 32.

El Hadji Diouf celebrates his first-leg goal with manager Gary Megson
El Hadji Diouf celebrates his first-leg goal with manager Gary Megson ©Getty Images

Bolton Wanderers FC manager Gary Megson knows the English club face the sternest of tests in the Spanish capital despite beating Club Atlético de Madrid 1-0 in their home leg of this UEFA Cup Round of 32 tie.

• El Hadji Diouf scored the only goal in the first game just a minute after Atlético had been reduced to ten men with the dismissal of Argentinian striker Agüero.

• Megson celebrated at the final whistle but was cautious afterwards, saying: "I know that 1-0 is a slender lead to take to an exceptional side like Atlético. I know what we are capable of but I'd still say that Madrid are the favourites."

• Three Atlético players have experience of English football. Midfielder Luis García played for Liverpool FC between 2004 and 2007, winning the 2005 UEFA Champions League, while forward José Antonio Reyes was at Arsenal FC during the same period.

• Uruguayan striker Diego Forlán was at Manchester United FC between 2002 and 2004, winning the 2002/03 Premier League before becoming a regular starter at Villarreal CF.

• For their part, Bolton have two Spanish players who will be hungry for action, one of whom represented Atlético's local rivals Real Madrid CF.

• Defender Iván Campo was at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium between 1998 and 2002, winning the UEFA Champions League in 2000 and 2002 and the Spanish title in 2000/01.

• Midfielder Mikel Alonso, meanwhile, played for Real Sociedad de Fútbol before joining Bolton.

• Bolton qualified for the Round of 32 by finishing third in Group F. Atlético came top of Group B.

• Bolton met Atlético's Primera División rivals Sevilla FC in the 2005/06 UEFA Cup group stage, drawing 1-1 at home. That was their only game against a Spanish side prior to the first leg against Atlético.

• Atlético have considerably more experience against Premier League opponents, having now played 12 games against English sides over the years, winning five, drawing four and losing three. They are unbeaten in five previous home games against English opponents, winning four and drawing one.

• The second leg promises to be tight. Bolton have never won or lost a game in European competition by a margin of more than one goal, and have never scored or conceded more than two goals in a UEFA competition game.

• The English side are unbeaten away from home in Europe this season, drawing two games and winning one. A 2-1 loss at Olympique de Marseille at the same stage of the 2005/06 UEFA Cup remains their only defeat – home or away – in European competition.

• Atlético have won all of their last seven European home ties, and have conceded just one goal at the Vicente Calderón Stadium during those games while scoring 16.

• The aggregate winners will meet either Sporting Clube de Portugal or FC Basel 1893 in the Round of 16 on 6 and 12/13 March, playing the first leg at home. The Portuguese side lead 2-0 going into the decider.

• Bolton's Gérald Cid, El Hadji Diouf, Nicholas Hunt and Gavin McCann are all a caution shy of a one-match ban. Atlético's Raúl García and Agüero are serving bans for red cards in earlier games, while Antonio López and Zé Castro are both within a booking of a suspension.

• Winter UEFA Cup registrations
Bolton: In – Iván Campo, Matthew Taylor, Gary Cahill.
Out – Nicolas Anelka, Gerald Cid, Ľubomír Michalík, Christian Wilhelmsson, Gary Speed, Przemysław Kazimierczak.
Atlético: In – Juan Valera.
Out – Maniche.