Champions League | League Stage

Jan 21, 2025 at 8pm UK

Estadio Civitas Metropolitano

Atletico vs B. Leverkusen

Match preview

Atletico took an impressive 15-match winning streak into their clash with Leganes, but Borja Jimenez's side put an end to the best run in the club's history.

Simeone's side remain top of the La Liga table and are very much in contention for the title this season, but they have their work cut out in the Champions League, where they sit 11th with 12 points from six games.

Atletico have won four and lost two in the league phase of the Champions League, which leaves them one point behind eighth-placed Lille, who currently occupy the final automatic qualification spot.

The Red and Whites have won three and lost three of their last ten meetings with Leverkusen, and the last time the two sides met in the group stage of the 2022-23 Champions League in Madrid, the result was 2-2.

Atletico have an excellent home record against German opposition in Europe, winning 17 and losing just three of 25 such meetings, while they have won seven of their last eight home Champions League games.

Leverkusen, meanwhile, have taken 13 points from their six games in the competition this season, winning four, drawing one and losing one, scoring 12 times and conceding just five.

Xabi Alonso's side are fourth in the standings, level on points with eighth-placed Lille, so a lot could change on the penultimate matchday and the importance of this game for both sides cannot be underestimated.

Leverkusen come into the game on the back of a 3-1 Bundesliga win over Borussia Monchengladbach, their 12th successive victory in all competitions, and the reigning German champions are in excellent form.

Alonso's side are second in the Bundesliga, four points behind leaders Bayern Munich, and will be hoping for a home win over Sparta Prague on matchday six.

Leverkusen have won just three of their last 21 away games against Spanish opposition, while they haven't reached the knockout stages of the Champions League since 2016-17, so the stakes are high on Tuesday night.

Recent Performance

Atletico Madrid Champions League form:WLLWWW

Atletico Madrid form (all competitions):WWWWWL

Bayer Leverkusen Champions League form:WWDLWW

Bayer Leverkusen form (all competitions):WWWWWW

Team News

Atletico may again be without the services of Jose Gimenez due to a muscular problem, while Alexander Sorloth is a doubt, but there is still a chance that the striker will be included in the squad.

Marcos Llorente is likely to come into the side on Tuesday, with the Spaniard set to start at right-back, meaning Nahuel Molina will drop to the bench.

Conor Gallagher should continue on the left for the Reds, while Antoine Griezmann and Julian Alvarez are expected to start up front, even if Sorloth is able to prove his fitness.

For Leverkusen, Martin Terrier, Jeanuel Belocian, Victor Boniface and Amine Adli are all on the sidelines, with the former forced off early in Saturday's clash with Mönchengladbach.

Florian Wirtz has been an outstanding performer for Leverkusen this season, scoring 14 goals and laying on nine assists in 28 appearances in all competitions, and will once again start at number 10.

Patrik Schick has also been in fine form this term, scoring 16 goals in all competitions, and will be looking for his second Champions League goal of the campaign on Tuesday night.

Possible starting lineup

Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup:

Oblak; Llorente, Le Normand, Lenglet, Galan; Simeone, De Paul, Barrios, Gallagher; Griezmann, Alvarez

Bayer Leverkusen possible starting lineup:

Hradecky; Mukiele, Tah, Tapsoba, Hincapie; Palacios, Xhaka; Frimpong, Wirtz, Grimaldo; Schick