Los Rojiblancos still have an ambition to have a glorious Champions League season, despite the fact that they have no ‘tradition’, which has been the key factor of winning it. Yet, this year could be an exception due to the covid-19. The format changes and there has been many surprises as Liverpool, Real Madrid and Juventus have failed to get through. It could be a blessing in disguise and this week will be their best chance to prove it. Atletico Madrid will only be facing off the limping RB Leipzig due to the absence of a number of key players, including Timo Werner, who has been sold to Chelsea, and the injury of Yussuf Poulsen. The game will be held in a single-leg fixture in Lisbon.
Both teams’ previous matches
Peter Gulacsi and Co clinched a win in their last game of Bundesliga last June. They dismantled Augsburg 2-1 on the road. Timo Werner scored a brace in that game while the home side replied only one goal through Ruben Vargas’ penalty. The result did not change their position on the table, which is on the third.
Meanwhile, Diego Simeone’s men were involved in a hard-fought game against Real Sociedad in the final game of La Liga. They could only muster 1-1 draw. Koke opened the score sheet first before the Belgian international Adnan Januzaj equalised.
Possible game plan
Atletico’s trademark 4-4-2 with the frontmen duo, possibly Alvaro Morata and Joao Felix, will meet Julian Nagelsmann’s flexible formation. He might be employing 4-4-1-1 with the transition to 4-2-2-2 or 4-2-3-1. Patrick Schick will be the first option supported by Dani Olmo behind him while Christopher Nkunku and Emile Forsberg could play wide. The real battle will take place in the midfield as the Spanish side with Saul Niguez, Marcos Llorente , Koke are likely to face Konrad Leiner and Kevin Kampl. Both sides have been relying on physically strong midfielders who are good at pressing and closing down their opponent. Unfortunately, Marcel Sabitzer and Marcel Halstenberg are possibly ruled out as well.
Atletico Madrid (4-4-2) – Jan Oblak; Renan Lodi, Kieran Trippier, Stefan Savic, Jose Gimenez; Koke, Saul Niguez, Marcos Llorente, Yannick Carrasco; Joao Felix, Alvaro Morata
Missing players: Sime Vrsaljko, Angel Correa, Thomas Partey
Leipzig vs Atletico Prediction
Los Choconeros need to take this opportunity to snatch another chance to win this year. The drawing seems to be less daunting, though still intriguing and their experience to reach the final twice in the last six years. Not to mention that fact that the German side is limping with their key players on the sideline. Koke and Co should have no difficulty to seal a win for one place in the semifinal.
It is a tight clash for sure. Atletico Madrid’s win market is at 2.40, whereas RB Leipzig are projected to win at 3.15. The odds for the draw result are at 3.25.
