Atletico Madrid vs RB Leipzig Prediction, Preview, Lineups and Team News | Champions League, September 19, 2024

Annirudh BhallaPublished: 17 Sep 2024 07:33 AM

Preview

Tournament: UEFA Champions League
Date: Thursday, September 19
Kick-off Time: 7:00 pm GMT
Venue: Estadio Civitas Metropolitano, Madrid

Atletico Madrid will be welcoming German side, RB Leipzig side for the first matchday of the UEFA Champions League 2024/25. Leipzig was a part of Pot 1 during the draw while Atletico was drawn from Pot 2. Atletico Madrid vs RB Leipzig will be a part of the first round of fixtures in the latest Champions League format, making for a wonderful spectacle for the viewers.

Atletico Madrid’s recent form has been a positive one. The club has managed four victories and two draws in the last six matches. The club is second in the La Liga table behind Barcelona after three wins and two draws. Diego Simeone‘s side has enjoyed a trademark playstyle so far, which is characterised by a resilient defence, conceding only two goals in the league. Last season, Los Rojiblancos reached the quarter-finals of the European Cup and the club’s best performance in history has been as runners-up in 2014 and 2016.

RB Leipzig has also enjoyed an unbeaten start to the campaign. The German side has already reached the second round of DFB Pokal and also earned seven points in the opening three Bundesliga games. One of those was a 3-2 victory over the reigning champions, Bayer Leverkusen, which indicates the confidence in Leipzig’s ranks. Leipzig reached the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2020 and was eliminated by Real Madrid in the first knockout round last season.

Atletico Madrid Team News

Diego Simeone, the head coach of Atletico Madrid

Pablo Barrios and Reinildo will be out for the game against RB Leipzig due to muscle and leg injuries respectively. Atletico is expected to line in a 5-3-2 formation with freedom for the wingbacks to roam forward. Julian Alvarez will compete with Alexander Sørloth for the striker berth alongside Antoine Griezmann.

RB Leipzig Team News

Marco Rose, the head coach of RB Leipzig

RB Leipzig will have to deal with the absence of Forzan Assan Ouedraogo and Xaver Schlager on Thursday night. The latter is out until the beginning of next year with a cruciate ligament injury. Marco Rise will adopt his favourite dynamic 3-4-2-1 formation. Ikoma Lois Openda is the top scorer for Leipzig this season with two goals.

Also Read: PSG vs Girona Prediction, Preview, Lineups and Team News | Champions League, September 18, 2024

Atletico Madrid vs RB Leipzig Predicted Lineups

Atletico Madrid Predicted Lineup (5-3-2)

Goalkeeper: Oblak

Defenders: Llorente, Gimenez, Le Normand, Azpilicueta, Lino

Midfielders: De Paul, Koke, Gallagher

Forwards: Griezmann, Alvarez

RB Leipzig Predicted Lineup (3-4-2-1)

Goalkeeper: Gulacsi

Defenders: Geertruida, Klostermann, Lukeba

Midfielders: Henrichs, Haidara, Kampl, Raum

Forwards: Sesko, Simons, Openda

Atletico Madrid vs RB Leipzig H2H Record

Atletico Madrid and RB Leipzig have faced each other only once in the past which was during the 2019/20 Champions League season. The clubs came up in the quarter-final stage with the Germans winning 2-1, ensuring Leipzig’s best-ever run in the European Cup.

Result	Date and Competition
RB Leipzig 2-1 Atletico Madrid	2020, UEFA Champions League

Key Players to Watch in Atletico Madrid vs RB Leipzig

Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid)

Antoine Griezmann has enjoyed a fine start to the season. He has the most goals and assists for Atletico this season with two each. The La Liga side could not have enjoyed an unbeaten start without one of its biggest-ever legends. The Frenchman has appeared in 95 Champions League matches, scoring 36 goals and providing 11 assists. The 33-year-old will be looking to add to this tally on Thursday in a crucial European encounter for his club.

Xavi Simons (RB Leipzig)

The Dutch youngster will begin the game as an attacking midfielder along with Benjamin Sesko. Simons has endured a slow start to the 2024/25 campaign, recording just a solitary assist so far. However, Xavi Simons’ talent cannot be denied and he has proved to be a difference-maker for Leipzig over the last two years. Atletico Madrid’s compact shape will require the likes of Simons to showcase his creativity and operate well in closed spaces.

Atletico Madrid vs RB Leipzig Prediction

The matchup on Thursday will be a battle between two opposite playstyles. Diego Simeone likes to function with a compact shape and low block. While the Germans are an example of high and counter-pressing. Atletico will be looking to create damage through counterattacks, which can prove to be the difference in a tightly contested game.