MX23RW : Friday, August 21 11:17:00| >> :60:3564:3564:
Aug 13, 2020 at 8pm UK at Estádio José Alvalade
RB LeipzigRB Leipzig
2-1
AtleticoAtletico Madrid
Olmo (51'), Adams (88')
Klostermann (70'), Kampl (82'), Haidara (87')
FT(HT: 0-0)
Felix (71' pen.)
Lodi (62'), Gimenez (90+6')

Preview: RB Leipzig vs. Atletico Madrid - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Thursday's Champions League quarter-final between RB Leipzig and Atletico Madrid, including team news and predicted lineups.

RB Leipzig and Atletico Madrid face off at the Estadio Jose Alvalade on Thursday evening for a place in the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Atleti knocked out holders Liverpool in the last round and are in the quarter-finals for a fifth time in seven seasons, while Leipzig have made it to this stage for the first time.


Match preview

Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone pictured in March 2020© Reuters

It has been exactly five months since Atletico dumped a much-fancied Liverpool side out of the competition, helped by a calamitous display from stand-in goalkeeper Adrian.

Diego Simeone's men have made a habit of upsetting the odds on the continent and, after a couple of defeats in the final over the past six years, this may just be their season.

The draw has been kind to Los Rojiblancos, putting them up against quarter-final debutants Leipzig first and then one of Atalanta BC or Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-finals.

Atletico will enter this one-legged tie in good shape, too, having gone 18 matches without defeat either side of the coronavirus-enforced shutdown.

Diego Simeone credited the victory over Liverpool for reigniting his side's campaign, claiming that it gave his players belief that they are good enough to beat any team.

After finishing third in La Liga behind the big two, Atleti's full focus is now on the biggest trophy in club football, and they have a good record against German opposition.

Los Rojiblancos have always progressed against Bundesliga sides in the knockout stages of the Champions League - versus Bayer Leverkusen in 2015 and Bayern Munich in 2016.

RB Leipzig head coach Julian Nagelsmann pictured on May 27, 2020© Reuters

However, Leipzig will see this as a massive opportunity to create some history of their own by going all the way in the reformatted competition.

Julian Nagelsmann's charges also finished third in their domestic league, ending the season with just one defeat in their final 15 matches - that coming 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 that tie but, in what is a major blow to Leipzig's hopes of progressing, he has since joined Chelsea.

The Red Bulls still have a number of talented players in their ranks, of course, and how they cope without Werner could well determine which of these sides makes it through.

RB Leipzig Champions League form: WWDDWW
RB Leipzig form (all competitions): WDWDLW

Atletico Madrid Champions League form: WLLWWW
Atletico Madrid form (all competitions): DWDWWD


Team News

Atletico confirmed on Monday that attacker Angel Correa and right-back Sime Vrsaljko were the individuals to test positive for coronavirus at the weekend.

Both players will self-isolate at home and will therefore play no part on Thursday, though Vrsaljko has been used sparingly this term and was already injured.

All other tests came back negative, meaning that the game has been given the all clear by UEFA to go ahead as planned.

Those two absentees aside, Simeone has a fully fit squad to choose from, with his biggest call coming up top.

Alvaro Morata has scored eight of his 15 Champions League goals in the knockout stages of the competition, but Diego Costa may get the nod alongside Joao Felix for this one.

Alvaro Morata in action for Atletico Madrid against Real Valladolid on April 27, 2019© Reuters

As for Leipzig, Nagelsmann would ideally go with Yussuf Poulsen and Patrik Schick up top in the absence of Werner.

That will mean retaining the same 3-5-2 setup that has worked so well for the club, but his hand may be further forced as Poulsen missed the end of the domestic campaign with an injury.

The German side may also be a little rusty given that this is their first competitive match in more than five weeks.

RB Leipzig possible starting lineup:
Gulacsi; Klostermann, Upamecano, Halstenberg; Mukiele, Laimer, Sabitzer, Angelino; Nkunku, Olmo; Schick

Atletico Madrid possible starting lineup:
Oblak; Trippier, Savic, Gimenez, Lodi; Llorente, Partey, Saul, Koke; Felix, Costa


Sports Mole Logo

We say: RB Leipzig 0-0 Atletico Madrid (Atletico through on pens)

Leipzig have kept a clean sheet in three of their last five European matches, while Atleti showed against Liverpool in the first leg that they can strangle the life out of opponents. It all points towards a tight and nervy encounter in Lisbon, one that we can see going all the way to penalties.


Top betting tip

Our expert tipster partners at Sporita.com are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or draw in this match. Click here to find out what else they are predicting for this game and for more of their tried-and-tested football tips.Home/Draw:data

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Atletico Madrid's Angel Correa pictured in March 2020
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Angel Correa, Sime Vrsaljko named as Atletico players to have tested positive
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rhs 2.0
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid38269370254587
2Barcelona38257686384882
3Atletico MadridAtletico381816451272470
4Sevilla381913654342070
5Villarreal391961465491663
6Real Sociedad39178145849959
7Valencia391511134854-656
8Granada37167145043755
9Getafe381412124337654
10Osasuna381313124654-852
11Athletic Bilbao381312134138351
12Levante38147174753-649
13Real Valladolid39915153345-1242
14EibarEibar38119183956-1742
15Real Betis381010184660-1440
16AlavesAlaves38109193459-2539
17Celta Vigo38716153749-1237
RLeganes38812183051-2136
RMallorca3896234065-2533
REspanyol39510242860-3225

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