RB Leipzig vs Atletico Madrid
Champions League
Date: Thursday, 13 August 2020
Kick-off at 20:00 UK/ 21:00 CET
Venue: Estádio da Luz.
Match preview
It has been exactly five months since Atletico dumped much-fancied Liverpool side out of the competition, helped by a disastrous display from stand-in goalkeeper Adrian.
Diego Simeone's men have made a habit of messing up opportunities on the continent and, after several defeats in the finals for the past six years, this may be their only season.
The draw has been kind to Los Rojiblancos, put them against debutant Leipzig quarter-final first and then one from Atalanta BC or Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals.
Atletico will go in this one-legged tie in good condition, too, has gone 18 games without defeat both sides of coronavirus-enforced shutdown.
Diego Simeone credited the victory over Liverpool to reignite his campaign, claiming that it gives players confidence that they are good enough to beat any team.
After finishing third in La Liga behind the big two, the full focus Atleti is now the biggest trophy in club football, and they have a good record against German opposition.
Los Rojiblancos are always evolving against Bundesliga teams in the knockout stages of the Champions League - vs Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 and Bayern Munich in 2016.
julian costs Nagelsmann also finished third in their domestic league, ending the season with just one defeat in the final 15 games - that came against Borussia Dortmund.
On the continent, Leipzig topped their group before easing to a 4-0 aggregate win over Tottenham Hotspur in the first knockout round.
Timo Werner opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the match, but, in what is a big blow to hopes of Leipzig to go forward, he has since joined Chelsea.
Red Bulls still have a number of talented players in their ranks, of course, and how they cope without Werner also can determine which of these sides make it through.
Team News
RB Leipzig
Julian Nagelsmann has no major injury worries hamper preparations for the return of his team into the Champions League. Against Atletico Madrid on Thursday, boss RB Leipzig will not have a player on the sidelines, although he will not be able to call a key player again.
Timo Werner will play no part to Leipzig after completing his move to Chelsea and start training with his new club. Meanwhile, Nagelsmann also sweating over the fitness of Ibrahima Konate (hip) and Yussuf Poulsen (ankle), who continues to work hard on regaining full fitness after recovering from their respective injuries.
The main problem for managers Leipzig will decide how he lines his team in the absence of Werner. It is entirely possible that by Poulsen does not fit completely full, Nagelsmann can choose to use a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Patrik Shick led the line for the Bundesliga giants Atletico Madrid.
Schick is likely to be supported by Christopher Nkunku and Dani Olmo, the duo are looking to take a central position higher up the pitch. The width in the final third will be awarded by the wing-backs, which should Angelino left and Nordi Mukiele on the right. Angelino and Mukiele will likely flank and captain Konrad Laimer marcel sabitzer.
Two central midfielders will be encouraged to play a more vertical passes, but also will be in charge of remaining behind the ball during the defensive phase. Meanwhile, Konate way possible absence Upamecano Dayot, Lukas Klostermann and Marcel Halstenberg will form the back three, which will protect péter gulácsi brilliant in goal Leipzig.
Possible Lineup (3-4-2-1): Gulacsi; Klostermann, Upamecano, Halstenberg; Mukiele, Laimer, Sabitzer, Angelino; Nkunku, Olmo; Schick
Atletico Madrid
Atletico Madrid faced with coronavirus scare ahead of UEFA Champions League finals in Portugal after two of their players tested positive for COVID-19. Both players Angel Correa and Sime Vrsaljko, who is now isolate themselves and will not feature in capacity against RB Leipzig.
Otherwise, Diego Simeone has only one other concern, with Thomas Partey, associated with a possible summer switch to Arsenal, is doubtful with a minor thigh complaint. If Partey misses out, Koke and Saul Niguez will pair up in the middle of the park.
Marcos Llorente has been used in a variety of roles by Simeone since the resumption of football, with players even deployed as a support striker. Against Leipzig, though, the Spaniard should be used on the right side of midfield Atletico Madrid.
Llorente will primarily look for help colchoneros continue to shape their defense while taking an advanced position during the offensive phase. On the left, there is no looking past Yannick Carrasco, who has been a key player since rejoining Atletico Madrid in January.
Upfront, Simeone may throw distorted and bench Alvaro Morata, with the aim of using the aggressive nature of Diego Costa to good use against Leipzig. Joao Costa will have Felix as his strike partner. Finally, at the back, a quartet of Kieran Trippier, Jose Gimenez, Felipe and Renan Lodi own choosing, with Jan Oblak be someone between the sticks for Atletico Madrid.
Possible Lineup (4-4-2): Oblak; Trippier, Gimenez, Felipe, Lodi; Llorente, Koke, Saul Carrasco; Felix Costa
Prediction
RB Leipzig lost only one of eight matches in the Champions League this season, way back in October against Lyon and lost only one of their last 16 in all competitions. The absence of Timo Werner, however, is a devastating blow to the Bundesliga side.
Atletico Madrid has now reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League five times in the last seven seasons, a feat only Barcelona and Bayern Munich have become better at that time. They have faced German opposition on three occasions in the Champions League knockout football and growing all the time.
Four of the last eight goals in the Champions League Leipzig has a penalty. In fact, only Atalanta (5) benefit from more spot-kicks in the competition this season from the Bundesliga outfit.
RBL 0 2 Atletico
