Atletico Madrid in UCL campaign start against Leipzig.

2024-09-16

As Atletico Madrid aim to maintain their formidable home record against German sides, they host a determined RB Leipzig in a UEFA Champions League clash that promises to test both teams' European ambitions.

Atlético Madrid

Atletico Madrid will begin their European campaign on Thursday against Leipzig, marking the second meeting between the two sides in European competition. A 3-0 victory over Valencia in their last league outing leaves the Mattress Makers unbeaten in La Liga and in second place as they head into Thursday's clash.

Atletico Madrid should be cautious when facing a German side, having won just one of their last eight meetings against such teams. Their only previous encounter with Leipzig in the 2019-20 edition of the UCL ended in a 2-1 defeat for Diego Simeone's men.

Despite this, Atletico Madrid can draw confidence from their formidable home performance in the UCL last season, where they maintained a 100% home-win record. Additionally, Atletico are unbeaten in their last 13 home matches against German sides, having last suffered such a defeat in the 1996/97 Champions League group stage against Dortmund.

A 5-3-2 formation featuring Antoine Griezmann and summer signing Julián Alvarez is expected for Thursday’s encounter. Alvarez, who opened his account for Atletico in the win over Valencia, will be eager to find the net in consecutive games.

"We all needed him to score a goal, for him to be more relaxed, to be connected to what he likes... hopefully the goal will be the first of many," Simeone remarked following Alvarez's goal against Valencia.

RB Leipzig

Meanwhile, Leipzig dropped points for the first time in the Bundesliga this season with a goalless draw at home against Union Berlin last Saturday. The Red Bulls had won all three matches across all competitions prior to that, including an away victory over BL champions Leverkusen to end their unbeaten run.

Currently third in the league with seven points, Marco Rose hopes his side can maintain their domestic form in Europe. The Red Bulls are aiming to win their UCL opening match in consecutive campaigns, having defeated Young Boys 3-1 last season, despite losing their opening match in two of the previous three seasons.

This will be Leipzig's third away game against a Spanish side in the UCL, with both previous encounters against Real Madrid ending in a draw and a defeat. A 3—4—2—1 formation with Loïs Openda in attack is expected against Atletico Madrid.